When I started boxing, people laughed at me and said, 'What can women do in boxing?' I took it as a challenge. If men can do it, why can't women? And I became a world champion before my marriage.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of overcoming gender stereotypes and challenges in pursuing one's passion.
Mary Kom's quote reflects her journey in boxing, showcasing how she transformed initial ridicule into a motivating challenge. By questioning the societal norms that limit women's participation in sports, she underscores her determination to prove that women can achieve the same levels of success as men, which she successfully demonstrated by becoming a world champion.
In practice
In a speech about perseverance, one might quote Mary Kom to inspire young athletes.
Looking back now, I realise that belonging to the family of a labourer actually helped to prepare my body for boxing. There were many times when my family didn't have enough food or warm clothing to go around. All this made me physically, as well as emotionally, tough.
If I, being a mother of two, can win a medal, so can you all. Take me as an example and don`t give up.
For cancer patients like me, and for others who suffer from chronic or life-threatening illnesses, natural disasters don't put health on the back burner.
I am not a woman on Monday, an immigrant on Tuesday, a worker on Wednesday, and a mom on Thursday, I am all of those things all of the time, and I am going to fight for all of those things all of the time.
For the pride of trace and trail was his, and sick unto death, he could not bear that another dog should do his work.
I'm told I'm a statistic. I'm told that my young black sisters are disease-ridden... but we are greater than what society tells us we are.
Action cures fear. Indecision, postponement, on the other hand, fertilize fear.
What the woman who labors wants is the right to live, not simply exist — the right to life as the rich woman has the right to life, and the sun and music and art. You have nothing that the humblest worker has not a right to have also. The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too. Help, you women of privilege, give her the ballot to fight with.
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