When a Workout Song Made Me Cry

On my workout playlist is a song that has the power to bring tears to my eyes as soon as I hear its first driving beats. Maybe I’m a little silly. It’s amazing how your mind can wander during a half-hour on the stationary bike or running.

Ladies all across the world

Listen up, we’re looking for recruits

If you’re with me, let me see your hands

Stand up and salute

Get your killer heels, sneakers, pumps or lace up your boots

Representing all the women, salute, salute!

Between the 80s classic rock and the Pitbull (don’t judge), there’s a funky song that never fails to make me think about what being a woman in 2015 means…and how much of what it looks like depends on where in the world you live.

I think about how grateful I am for brave girls like Malala Yousafzai, a schoolgirl who survived being shot by the Taliban for her outspoken views on education, who has gone on to become an advocate for women’s education and for those forced into trafficking.

Sisters we are everywhere

Warriors, your country needs you

If you’re ready ladies, better keep steady

I think of our military women.

 You think we’re just pretty things

You couldn’t be more wrong

(We’re standing strong, we carry on)

Knock us but we keep moving up

Can’t stop a hurricane, ladies it’s time to awake

My heart breaks for the village of Nigerian girls stolen from their families. My heart breaks for their parents.

I can’t understand a world where girls are punished for simply trying to get an education.

It’s who we are

We don’t need no camouflage

It’s the female federal

And we’re taking off

If you with me, women let me hear you say

I look at my own girls and am reminded to be thankful they live in a country where they can worship God freely.

Where their whole future is bright and wide open, and they’re free to pursue whatever education they’d like. Where they’re not penalized simply because they’re female.

I wish every girl could know what that felt like.

Ready, aim, shoot

Don’t need ammunition

 On a mission

And we’ll hit you with the truth

Representing all the women, salute, salute!

And I wipe the tears away, and I finish my workout.

Representing all the women, salute, salute!

Lyrics from “Salute” by Little Mix