Gabby Douglas Honored as Sportswoman of the Year, Continues to Inspire Young Girls
10.19.12
Fashion and Style Magazine
Gabby Douglas is still enjoying the afterglow of her Olympic glory, now being named Sportswoman of the Year honors by the Women’s Sports Foundation.
Wednesday night, the gymnastics all-around gold medalist of the London Olympics was presented with the award given to an individual athlete who exhibits exceptional performances, according to The Associated Press.
16-year-old Douglas is the third gymnast to win the award, following Olympic gold medalists Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Nastia Liukin (2008).
Liukin presented the highest honor of the night to Douglas, who won over Lindsey Vonn, London Olympians Serena Williams, Missy Franklin, Allyson Felix, and Paralympians Jessica Long and Tatyana McFadden.
The ‘Flying Squirrel’ of U.S. Team was seen in her signature smile, while rocking a black and gold BCBG dress and matching gold heels at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The two gold medals from the London Olympics hanging from her neck added the glitter on top of the shiny dress.
“It feels amazing. I’m just so honored to be here and so happy,” Douglas told Enstarz.
Following her Olympics win, Gabby Douglas revealed her path of struggles to the golden glory, writing books, including a memoir titled “Grace, Gold and Glory: My Leap of Faith.”
The memoir was acquired by HarperCollins’ Zondervan media, and will be available by Christmas.
“Even before I competed in the Olympics, I always wanted to write a book,” the “Flying Squirrel” of the U.S. gymnastics team said when the upcoming book was announced.
“I want people to read my story and say, ‘If Gabby can do it, I can do it too. Anything is possible,’” Douglas said.
In the book, Gabby Douglas will open up about “how much my family and I have overcome during our journey. It hasn’t been easy.”
Regarding a new book she is working on, Douglas told Enstarz on Monday, “”It’s mainly about my story and where I came from. What I want people to take away is I want them to be motivated and inspired.”
The gymnast also became an inspiration for teen girls as she encouraged them to hold onto their dreams.
“Anything is possible,” Douglas said in the mother-daughter luncheon. “Don’t ever give up. Don’t let anyone stop you.”
“It’s so great to be in my mother’s hometown,” the 4’11” gymnast said, thanking the Barden Gary foundation, which her mother Natalie Hawkins belonged to.
“It’s where we went every Thanksgiving, and had the best sweet potato pie.”
Gabrielle Douglas made history when she won a gold medal in the women’s individual all-around finals in the London Olympics 2012. She became the first African American woman to win the title.
Gabby Douglas took the lead with the vault, wowed the audience with the height and precision in her performance on the uneven bars, showed off her unwavering spirit on the balance beam and finished with a powerful show-stopping floor routine.
Gabby also contributed to the U.S. team dubbed “Fierce Five,” earning the gold medal in the team all-around competitions.
The 16-year-old may have much more to say about life than some mediocre adults. Her dream of giving inspiration to young girls is surely coming true at this very moment, with much more to come.
