Submit Your Questions for Olympic Gold Medalist and Girl Advocate Dominique Dawes About Girls & Self-Esteem
by Courtney Macavinta - Respect RX

The week of May 26, I'll be podcast interviewing Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes on behalf of BlogHer!


Dominique, 31, was the first African-American woman to win an individual medal in gymnastics, having won bronze in the floor exercise at the ’96 Games, the second of her third Olympics. She was recently named – along with her teammates on the “Magnificent Seven” from 1996 – to the United States Olympic Committee’s Hall of Fame and will be inducted in June.


Dominique is dedicated to empowering girls to develop positive self-esteem. She teamed up with Girl Scouts of the USA to launch uniquely ME!, the organization's global self-esteem program and has partnered with the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty to speak to young girls around the country. As a speaker, Dominique shares her unique experiences as a top athlete, role model, and a positive television personality to inspire and empower girls to feel good about themselves and fulfill their dreams.


She is definately one of my REAL role models and I'm excited to interview her about her passions!


What would you like me to ask her? I'd love to get your questions by Saturday, May 24.

Thanks!
Courtney

Submitted by Courtney Macavinta - Respect RX (view blog) on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 8:06am

Comments

 

I think the obvious question is...

About gymnasts and eating disorders.

How prevalent are they?
Do coaches etc. look the other way?
Do gymnasts get help to adjust when they're no longer in the spotlight?

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org

Submitted by Elisa Camahort on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 08:49
 

Looking forward to this interview

I remember watching Dominique Dawes and her teammates with my daughter. I remember being awed that my child got to watch not only Dawes, but Debi Thomas, FloJo, and other female athletes of color as she was growing up. Here are a couple of questions:

1. What can parents do to help daughters who, like yourself, are multiply gifted learn and maintain a healthy, balanced perspective?

2. Are there particular concerns or advice that you have for young women of color and their parents? 

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Submitted by Kim Pearson on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 10:25
 

I Love Dominique Dawes

And I can't wait to read the interview.

My question would be whether or not she had any eating disorder issues and how she came to terms with them.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/YouTube
Megan's Minute
Video Runway

Submitted by Megan Smith on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 13:14
 

WIth gymnastics being a very

WIth gymnastics being a very compeitive sport, with only a small few making it to the Olympics what advice would you give to parents who encourage their daughters to pursue that goal?  For the gymnast themselves? 

What are the best ways, as a parent. to be encouraging to your child(ren) and not overbearing?

Submitted by lilmommythatcould on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 18:12
 

Advice for others

I love Dominique! Can't wait for the interview.

As a well-known athlete, she's in a unique position to really speak out about self-esteem and influence girls and young women. My question would be: what advice would she give an average woman without a "platform" hoping to do the same thing?

 

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure...We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?"

Submitted by smtwngrl5 on Tue, 05/20/2008 - 04:47
 

New Moon girls' questions for Dominique!

Hey Courtney -

The girls over at orb28 are really excited that you're doing this!  They're posting their questions for Dominique (in the comments) here.

Thanks for doing this...I'm sure the girls would love to hear the results from you!  Feel free to email me the mp3 of the podcast, or we could set up a bit of guest blogging if you're into that.

Exciting!

Julia

New Moon's orb28

In Her Image

Submitted by NewMoonGirlMedia on Wed, 05/21/2008 - 03:42
 

Confronting perfectionism

Hi Courtney!

I'm excited to see the interview, and so glad you're doing this one!

LIke Elisa, I am also very curious to hear Dominique's take on eating disorders within the gymnastics world, particularly in light of Jennifer Sey's new book, Chalked Up (which is on my to-read list!).

And here's my other question: In many ways, I think gymnastics is a more intense version of the pressures that many girls experience day-to-day. The drive to be perfect--from dressing "right" to getting good grades to being popular--often prevents girls from taking healthy risks because they are so afraid of making mistakes. What advice can Dominique offer to parents and other adults who want to help girls deal with those pressures?

Claire Mysko

5 Resolutions to Transform the Fashion and Beauty Industries
author of Girls Inc. Presents: You're Amazing! A No-Pressure Guide to Being Your Best Self

Submitted by 5resolutions on Thu, 05/22/2008 - 05:10