There is a picture frame I remember that used to sit on my dresser when I was younger. It was a framed picture of my sister and I, acting like our goofy selves. The frame was silver metal, and decorated with stick figures of girls doing different actions. Above it all was an all caps “GIRLS ROCK!”

I feel lucky to live in a world, where as a girl, I am allowed to be powerful and strong. It is not only accepted, but encouraged. I am allowed and celebrated to be my full self. Unfortunately, this has not always been the case in our society.

This past week in Omaha, I had the privilege of attend the ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference. It was there I was reminded of the powerful women that came before me and paved the way for me to have impact and influence.

I am thankful for the opportunity to receive a college education, participate in collegiate sports, and most importantly, have a voice that has the potential to be heard. I often forget that this has not always been the case.

Life was not like this for my grandparents and great-grandparents, and I’m sure I even have it better than my Mom and aunts. These women cannot be overlooked. Without them, girls in modern society would not have the same opportunities we have today.

We cannot forget about them, and most importantly, we can’t forget to honor them by continuing their legacy.

As a runner, one of my favorite girl-power stories is that of Katherine Switzer. Katherine entered the all male Boston Marathon in 1967. It is incredible believe that less that 50 years ago, women were unable to compete in the Marathon.

Crazy to believe that now, they are allowed to compete in the same event on the Olympic stage.

This is all thanks to Switzer, who broke the barrier for all women to compete by taking a huge risk and demanding that women be seen as powerful and strong enough to complete 26.2 miles.

She was attacked in the middle of the race, and told to stop running. She persevered, and finished, becoming the first woman ever to complete the Boston Marathon. Her risk led people to talk, and changed competitive running forever.

Switzer is not the only woman to have made an impact, it takes more than just one. She just so happens to be a woman that indirectly made a huge impact on my life. There are many women just like her, all making huge strides in their respective areas.

The view of the modern women is changing, as women now make up a large percentage of the workforce. Women are doctors, lawyers, engineers, and really any occupation you can dream of. There also mom’s at the same time.

In my opinion, that’s pretty awesome.

I feel honored to live in a world where the anything I can dream I have the ability to do. I owe it to the women who came before me, and changed the world to make it so we have the opportunity to do and be as strong and powerful as we want.

To all strong women: Thank you.