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YahooAmerican Soccer superstar, Mia Hamm recently had to decline an invitation to be inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame because she is pregnant with twins and has been advised by her doctors that she should not be traveling that far into her pregnancy.
Mia and her husband Nomar Garciaparra who plays first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers are expecting their first two children sometime in the spring.
According to Celebrity Moms Hamm is expected to be inducted in 2008.
A spokesman for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (Steve Fallon) has been widely quoted as saying that this is the first time anyone has ever turned down one of their invitations due to pregnancy.
I think this is a very interesting situation. On one hand, hooray for Mia. She has two Olympic gold medals and one silver medal, she currently holds the world record for most goals scored in her sport, she has won two FIFA Women's World Cup gold medals, has been named FIFA player of the year twice and she has been named as one of People Magazine's 50 most beautiful people, she seems to be happily married and she will soon be a mother and now they want to induct her into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. She seems to have it all. On the other hand, as a woman who gave up my own career when I was unable to work back when I was pregnant with my twins I feel bad that she isn't able to receive her honor.
As proud as I am that I was able to create life in my own body, and as much as I wouldn't give up my personal experience for anything (although I can tell you, gestating multiples is no walk through the park), I sometimes feel that just because nature has given us (as women) the job of carrying the children that it can hold us back as professionals. I know that this is why some women choose not to procreate for this exact reason. Where do you stand?
Contributing Editor Sarah also blogs at Sarah and the Goon Squad and Draft Day Suit.
This might be a silly question...
lauriewrites December 5, 2006 - 12:05ambut why can't they induct her in absentia? Awards are given all the time to people who can't attend the ceremony for whatever reason, and she certainly has a valid excuse. Bestow the honor upon her, beam her in via satellite, and let her enjoy it at a distance. They do it for the likes of the Rolling Stones, etc., so why not a pregnant woman? (Maybe there's a reason that I don't know about, but this was the first thing that came to mind.)