As elite American runner Shalane Flanagan sprinted through the final stretch of the New York City Marathon, cameras zoomed in on her beaming face. With her signature speed, she became the first American woman to win this prestigious race in 40 years. As she celebrated with fist pumps and shouted to the cheering crowd, her lips formed the words “F*CK YEAH!”—a perfect display of fierce determination and pride.
In that exhilarating moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy. Years of hard work culminated in this victory for Flanagan, who had previously finished second in the same race in 2010. When she rounded that last corner and spotted the finish line, she fully embraced her triumph, refusing to downplay her achievements. Flanagan’s exuberance resonated with me, and I replayed her moment of glory in my living room until I’d watched it at least 20 times.
The Incredible Feats of Women
Women accomplish incredible feats every single day. We nurture life and raise the next generation to be kind and empathetic. We tackle complicated math homework, whip up last-minute Halloween costumes, and manage hectic carpool schedules while organizing events for the PTA. We harness our inner strength to speak out against sexual assault, dismantling the toxic culture perpetuated by Hollywood elites, all in hopes of creating a better world for those who come after us.
We fight for maternity leave, healthcare, and gun control while standing firm against judgment from other parents regarding our choices—whether it’s breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding, co-sleeping versus the cry-it-out method, or cloth diapers versus disposables. None of that matters because, at the end of the day, we make the best decisions for our families and hold true to our values, despite any external pressures.
Even when we’re exhausted (and let’s be honest, we often are), we keep pushing forward. We juggle our families, relationships, and careers with little more than a Venti coffee and some dry shampoo. It’s clear that women deserve to proudly shout their achievements, just like Shalane.
Celebrating Our Achievements
Every fantastic accomplishment deserves a shout-out—big or small. Did you finally land that promotion after an exhausting stretch at work? F*CK YEAH! Did you manage to distract your toddler long enough for a peaceful shower? You deserve a fist bump and a loud “F*CK YEAH!” Did you get your teenager to open up about their social life with minimal eye-rolling? A massive “F*CK YEAH!” is in order for you.
So why is it so challenging for us to celebrate our hard-earned victories? I remember when I was promoted at work; I felt a wave of excitement and immediately called a friend to celebrate with drinks. As I emerged from the subway, my friend’s face lit up, and he began shouting my news to everyone on the bustling New York street. My first instinct was to hush him, fearing the embarrassment of drawing attention in a city that typically doesn’t indulge in such displays. But then, something magical happened. Strangers began to clap and cheer for my achievement right there on the sidewalk. Their enthusiasm made me realize how much more fulfilling it is to celebrate our wins openly.
Let’s Embrace Our ‘F*ck Yeah!’ Moments
Let Shalane be our inspiration as we celebrate our achievements, no matter how small. So go ahead and exclaim “F*CK YEAH!” in the grocery store aisle after finishing your shopping before preschool pickup. Give yourself a fist bump like Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club. Embrace the fact that you are rocking this motherhood gig—you deserve to shout about it every day, even if it’s just in the privacy of your closet while hiding from your toddler.
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In Summary
Let’s take a cue from Shalane Flanagan and embrace our ‘F*ck Yeah!’ moments. We deserve to acknowledge our hard work and achievements, whatever they may be. Whether it’s a professional milestone or a small parenting victory, let’s celebrate it loudly and proudly.