Two interesting things to note in women's history in the past week. Ironically enough, it's in subjects usually dominated by men: Sports and Cars.
Let's start with 17-year-old high school senior Candace Parker beating out five male competitors to win the Slam Dunk contest of the McDonald's High School All-American Game.
Now, I admit I am not a big sports fan. I prefer to play them rather than watch, but even I can appreciate Candace Parker's achievement. The appeal of getting the "slam dunk" down after years of watching Michael Jordon has led many a youngster (and adults alike) to "be like Mike." Even better, a chick beat out 5 guys. I can't help but to all about the Candace Parker. Good for you, girl! Go get them!
You can read the whole article about Candace Parker and her slam dunk here.
On to the Auto Industry, Volvo shows off the first concept car built entirely by women, the "YCC" (Your Concept Car). Designed over a 14 month period, it features things such as gull wing doors, a "race car like" fuel system, and is an environmentally friendly gas-electric hybrid (which I think totally rocks).
I think the best quote about the whole project comes from Hans-Olov Olsson, president and chief executive of the Swedish carmaker:
"We learned that if you meet women's expectations, you exceed those for men"
Well boys, us women have been trying to tell you that for years,
Of course, there are no plans to ever mass produce the car (bummer).
You can find out more about the YCC here.
I must say, I love it when I read stuff like this.
Article comments
1 - g dasher
Did you even see the dunk contest? I didn't when it was aired. I have been reading all of the posts about how 'wonderful' a thing Candace has done. I live in Tenn. and am an avid UT VOLS fan, so was intrigued by the posts (since she is going to be one of our own Lady Vols next season). I wanted to see this girl whip the boys...so I started searching the Internet for footage. Finally I found it and was SO DISAPPOINTED! This contest was given to her. I am a 6' tall former JUNIOR college bench player and could dunk THAT well in school. We had members on our team (remember, I was a pine-rider) that could dunk much better and they were only good enough to start on a JuCo squad. She was given 10's for the fact that she was a girl that got the ball (barely) over the rim in a downward motion. I thought that I must surely have not seen the right footage...but have discovered that, yes, that's all there was...I felt cheated.
-g. dasher-