Strong & Successful Women Role Models for Teen Girls

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

It was about a year ago nearly every major news outlet announced that the Augusta National Golf Club welcomed the first females, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina businesswoman Darla Moore, to join the prestigious all-boys club. The question was begged to be asked: What role do sporting activities play in helping teenage girls develop a healthy self-esteem and positive future goals?

Healthy Body & Attitude

As women's sports coverage expands on television, professional and semi-professional female athletes have more opportunities to inspire young women. Ladies, focus on health rather than body weight. Aspiring athletes can explore directstartv.org to find a lineup that includes everything from golf to tennis and women's international soccer events. By connecting with athletes through television, girls may discover a love for sports and a home for positive growth.

Like all team sport players, competitors in four-ball and foursome matches for the Solheim Cup rely on collaborative efforts alongside a healthy body and mindset on the field. Top golfers become role models for focusing less on being a size two and more on improving upon your craft. It is about knowing which club to reach for when you're in the rough and whether to grab a 5 wood or a long iron for maximum loft.

Confidence & Discipline

Rice was never a professional athlete, but sports have a significant history in her life. She skated for five years as a youth in Denver and says she relished the discipline the sport requires. Discipline breeds confidence and skill in other areas. Speaking to EPSN's golf contributor George J. Tanber in 2007 for a piece on Black History Month, Rice considered a "run" as NFL commissioner. Whether it's following golf, tennis or football, there is an immense amount of strategy involved in competitive sports.

Strong women such as Rice and professional women athletes serve as ideal role models for teenage girls. They show the importance of health and confidence as well as responsibility and success. Parents worry about what types of celebrities and role models their teens have to look up to these days. Strong, successful and healthy women can help teens through difficult times and motivate them to reach their goals.

Motivation & Character

Multi-talented professionals influence young women by encouraging joy, harmony, discipline, selflessness and courage. Pat Williams and Dana O'Neil's book "How to Be Like Women Athletes of Influence: 31 Women at the Top of Their Game and How You Can Get There Too" reveals these essential character building attributes.

The Barnesandnobile.com synopsis spotlights this book for motivating the next generation of budding athletes. The book includes 32 insightful and inspirational interviews with top female athletes, their peers, colleagues and mentors, including some words of wisdom from Nancy Lopez, captain of the winning 2005 U.S. Solheim Cup team. Share this book with friends and daughters by checking it out on harpercollins.com.au and amazon.com.

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• SportsPLUS
• Health & Fitness
• Career
• Business
• Politics

This article was written by a WomenTalkSports.com contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own women's sports content.

View JoelJohn's Full Profile