By Sara Jasmine 
“You throw like a girl.”
“Don’t cry like a girl.”
“You run like a girl.”
For generations, this simple, three-word phrase has been used on playgrounds and in locker rooms as a weapon. It was designed to be an insult, a way to signify weakness, inferiority, and a lack of skill. It was a verbal jab meant to put someone in their place by comparing them to the “weaker” sex. This casual, ingrained sexism has had a profound impact, subtly teaching girls from a young age that there are limits to their power and that their very identity is synonymous with being “less than.”
But what if we refused to accept that definition?
A powerful cultural shift is underway, a global movement to reclaim this phrase from the mouths of bullies and turn it into a battle cry. It’s a revolution that declares that doing something “like a girl” is not an insult, but a statement of immense strength, resilience, and excellence. It’s time to shatter the old stereotype and embrace what it truly means to run, throw, lead, think, and win #LikeAGirl.
Language shapes our reality. When a young girl constantly hears her gender being used as a pejorative, it can have a corrosive effect on her self-confidence. The underlying message is that to be a girl is to be inherently deficient. This can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing girls to drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys by age 14, shy away from raising their hands in a science class, or doubt their ability to lead.
The groundbreaking Always #LikeAGirl campaign first brought this to the world’s attention in a viral 2014 video. When they asked young women and boys to “run like a girl,” they flailed their arms and acted comically weak. But when they asked young, pre-pubescent girls the same question, they ran as fast as they could. They hadn’t yet learned that they were supposed to be weak. It was a stark illustration of how society imposes these limiting beliefs.
Today, the world of sports offers the most visible and visceral redefinition of the phrase. To “run like a girl” now means to emulate legends like marathoner Tigst Assefa, who didn’t just win the 2023 Berlin Marathon but shattered the world record by more than two minutes. To “play basketball like a girl” means to have the handles and court vision of Caitlin Clark, who became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer.
To “compete like a girl” means displaying the fierce determination of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, fighting for World Cup titles and equal pay with the same tenacity. It means having the gymnastic power of Simone Biles, who didn’t just dominate her sport but redefined what was physically possible. These athletes have shown the world that playing “like a girl” means being powerful, disciplined, strategic, and relentlessly competitive.
The stereotype that girls are not as adept at math and science is one of the most persistent and damaging. It has steered generations of brilliant minds away from fields where their contributions are desperately needed. But this narrative is crumbling under the weight of female achievement.
Thinking “like a girl” means having the vision of Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, one of the lead scientists who developed the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, saving countless lives. It means having the C-suite leadership of Lisa Su, the CEO of AMD, who has navigated the company to the forefront of the semiconductor industry. It means having the adventurous spirit of Christina Koch and Jessica Meir, the astronauts who completed the first all-female spacewalk.
These women prove that thinking “like a girl” means being analytical, innovative, a meticulous problem-solver, and a creative force capable of tackling humanity’s biggest challenges.
The traditional archetype of leadership has often been associated with stereotypically masculine traits: hierarchical, authoritative, and decisive. However, there is a growing recognition that leadership styles often associated with women are not “soft skills” but essential strengths for the modern world.
Leading “like a girl” means leading with empathy, fostering collaboration, and communicating with transparency. It’s the approach of leaders like Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, whose empathetic and decisive leadership was praised globally. It’s the business acumen of female CEOs who are increasingly being shown by studies to deliver stronger financial performance and create more inclusive company cultures. This new model of leadership proves that strength and compassion are not mutually exclusive; they are a powerful combination.
Redefining this phrase isn’t just about celebrating famous women; it’s about embedding this empowered meaning into our daily lives.
- Challenge Stereotypes Loudly: The next time you hear someone use “like a girl” as an insult, don’t let it slide. Calmly and confidently say, “What do you mean by that? Have you seen the way Serena Williams serves? I’d love to play like a girl.”
- Pursue Your Passions Fearlessly: Whether it’s a coding club, a weightlifting class, or the debate team, don’t let outdated stereotypes hold you back. Your interests and ambitions are valid. Pursue them with everything you’ve got.
- Fail Forward: Part of doing anything “like a girl” is having the resilience to try, to fail, and to get back up again with even more determination. Failure is not a sign of weakness; it’s proof that you’re pushing your own boundaries.
- Lift Other Girls Up: Be a cheerleader for the women in your life. Celebrate their successes, encourage them through their struggles, and mentor those who are younger than you. A rising tide lifts all boats.
“Like a girl” is no longer an insult. It is a badge of honor. It is a declaration of strength, intelligence, and unwavering spirit. It represents a legacy of barrier-breakers and a future of limitless potential. So go ahead—run, lead, think, create, and dream like a girl. The world will be better for it.
Femme Wire