"These are broads with pom poms."
"These girls were probably strippers before this gig."
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"Professional cheerleaders are going to be unemployed once their metabolism fizzles out."
These are all thoughts I had about women who cheered for sports teams past the age of 17. One day at work covering the NBA post-season changed those thoughts completely.
It all started when my coworker was a Cavs Girl for a day during the series against Toronto. Cleveland 19 News Meteorologist Samantha Roberts jived and got to understand what it takes to be on the hardwood cheering the Cleveland Cavaliers on and keeping the crowd entertained. We ran the story on-air and praised Sam for her wicked dance moves, but we had another surprise for our Cavs fans watching.
We invited the Cavs Girls to come to the station with their hair and makeup stylists from Dino Palmieri Salon & Spa. Those ladies have flawless hair and makeup, and we wanted to unleash the secrets on how our viewers can get the "Cavs Girl Look." In fact, I was the blank canvas that those stylists used to show off tips and tricks. Here's my before and after, in case you were wondering how big of a transformation this was:
That was fun and all, but that wasn't the part of the morning that took my breath away.
It all started when I was helping escort the entire Cavs crew down to our studio. I was talking to the media relations professionals who represent the team and the girls. I was just making small talk on how proud they must be to work for a winning team. Of course they were. However, the real pride shined through for the women with the pom poms.
"Our girls all have college degrees and half of them even have master's degrees," one of the Cavs reps told me with an excited fire in her voice.
Hearing that blew my mind. I instantly felt horrible for thinking that these women were probably strippers a few years ago. That's not true. These women were in the same place as me not too long ago: getting college degrees, pinching pennies, and preparing to make their own American dreams come true. Now, they are teachers, sales women, event planners, and almost any other occupation you can think of. They are not broads with pom poms. They are the ultimate definition of beauty, brains, and loyal Cavalier fans.
Every woman I know, myself obviously included, has had a stereotype in their head about other women. If you are denying it, I know you're lying. It's not against the law. It's not abnormal. It is something that usually changes as we age though.
I think we get more beautiful as we grow older because we take the time to get to know each other and find the beauty in other women. This is what happened in my experience with the Cavs Girls. They are just like anyone else, minus the sweet hair, makeup, and dance moves. They all have passions and loves outside of dance. They are worthy of love and happiness just like the rest of us.
So ladies, I'm putting you up to a challenge: Get to know the girl that you peg with a stereotype. There is beauty there in some way, shape or form, I promise.
