A New Shero

A New Shero (Youtube video: https://youtu.be/CRVoHyg-EpA)

While looking up a black woman I wanted to highlight for History Remembered, I wanted to look at people who were living. Well, I found a living legend in the form of Ms. Ibtihaj Muhammad

Ms. Muhammad is a fencer who was seeking to compete but also adhere to modesty as per her religious beliefs. Fed up with uniforms that had to be altered to cover her arms and legs, her discovery of fencing was a Godsend. She competed and finished her first year of Duke with 49-8. In the 2010s she received many medals and honors including an Olympic medal in 2016. She also is the first competitive fencer to do so while wearing a hijab. Now, let’s be clear many Christian women around the world wear head coverings so why is wearing a hijab so notable? It should just be like “Oh okay, she wears a head covering” and keep it moving

So, back to the topic she is being honored with her own Barbie doll. I nearly lost it because I ‘m like “Yassss!” Here is a woman inspiring women to compete while adhering to modesty and even has her own sporting company with clothes to that end.

I congratulate  Ms. Muhammad and Mattel on creating a doll based on her because representation matters. It matters that someone who looks like me talks like me, is like me is seen on TV, in sports, in the public eye. I know I can do the same, I am encouraged to do the same…because as Janelle Monae’s Character said in Hidden Figures “Someone will have to be the first” I am proud to witness this first. 



Thanks, please comment, follow, like, subscribe so we can spread this good news. Let’s climb uphill and celebrate this wonderful achievement for the Black and Muslim communities.