Finally, a positive role model for young women.

Woman's magazines today are filled with page after page of waif-like, malnourished looking, female models. The expectations for young girls today to fit into this unrealistic mold is at its peak. I was nearly about to put down this months latest GLAMOUR magazine when i stumbled across a brilliant ad by Nike. Serena Williams is an outstanding athlete with hundreds of titles to prove it. Unlike many women on the WTA tour, Serena has a beautiful athletic body that she isn't afraid to flaunt. Despite her major melt down displayed at last years US Open, Serena is an excellent role model for all women. She is powerful, confident, and uncaring of what the lastest critique is about her. Nike has always been a adamant supporter of female athletes, so it came to no surprise that they stepped in after statements made by Don Imus regarding the Rutgers woman's basketball team. As a response to these comments Nike launches ads like the one Serena Williams appeared in. "It's important to hear from women who overcome stereotypes, ignorance and inequality," Williams says. It's also important for a woman "to be an athlete, be strong and not feel sorry for kicking someone's butt." One dollar is donated to the Let Me Play Fund, which issues grants for equipment and uniforms. So far the campaign has been successful (first appearing in April 2007). More than $450,000 have been raised in cash and equipment. Nike has continued to launch these advertisements, and continues to be successful.

I later found an article online discussing the debate on paying men and women tennis players the same amount of money for capturing a grand slam title. The fight for respect as female athletes will continue to take place. Although women are physically unable to perform at the same level as men, female athletes are the types of role models that we need.