WEEK #34: DANA BOOKMAN

 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. 

 

I am the founder and CEO of Canadian Girls Baseball. An organization I started when my daughter, who was 6 at the time, was going to drop out of baseball because there were no other girls in her league. Since then CGB has expanded to 4 provinces and serves more than 1000 girls between the ages of 4-16, and is the only all-girls baseball league in Canada.

 

Please share a story about an internal or external barrier you have faced.

 

What I find interesting is how much unconscious internal bias people have when it comes to their daughters. We’ve had parents who are so supportive but still say things like, “she doesn’t throw like a girl.” Well of course she does – she is a girl. She throws like a baseball player. That internal narrative affects all our players and also impacts what we are trying to achieve with this league.

 

How did you overcome that barrier? What skills did you develop in sport to helped you overcome your barrier?

 

I didn’t play a specific sport growing up, but building this league and being a part of girls baseball has given me so much confidence. I am inspired by watching our players and because of that, and because of them, I am able to express the importance of girls participating in sport, and I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe in and to keep trying to make change.

 

If you had one word to describe your character, experiences or philosophy what would it be? Why?

BULLDOG

 

Someone once called me a bulldog. Because I don’t give up, or give in. It was said as a compliment and I think it’s a pretty good description. I definitely fight for what I believe is right.

 

If you wanted to motivate a young female athlete to #BuildHerUp, what quote would you use? Why?

 

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” – Babe Ruth 

 

Resilience is what turns our players into future leaders. Accepting that even the best fail 7 out of 10 times and it’s the picking yourself up and trying again that makes you great. That is what will carry these girls through life.

 

Instagram: @canadiangirlsbaseball

 

Twitter: @cgbleague

 

FB: @canadiangirlsbaseball