There are a lot of things that hold us back from pursuing our passions. Whether that be societal standards, educational barriers, or an unsupportive family. I will not speak for others, but I get inspired by people who have found their way in the world by the means of doing what they love every day. Cindy Whitehead is a person who left me motivated and her passion is infectious. You may remember Cindy as the woman who woke up one day and decided to skateboard down the 405 freeway. Maybe you remember her from being inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame in 2016. If that does not ring a bell, maybe being the only female skater to have a centerfold and two pages in a skateboarding magazine is what you know her for. But behind all these accomplishments was a girl who had a source of inspiration herself. In our interview, I asked Cindy about her family and what gets her going. She immediately brought to attention how much her grandmother meant to her. After asking Whitehead about the role her grandmother played in her life, she replied by saying, "My grandma was always there. In some ways, I might have been her favorite because I think she saw a lot of herself in me." Cindy then had mentioned her parents were the ones who pushed the idea of higher education whereas her grandma is the reason she believes in following her passion and finding it hard to have a job you do not love. Cindy knew that she wanted to do something she loved and had a passion for, and she settled for nothing less.

In her early career, it is noted that in 1978 she placed 3rd at Hang Ten Olympics at Magic Mountain with a freestyle skateboarding routine. Also, that same year Bruce Hazelton – an award-winning photojournalist shot a series of photos of Whitehead skating a plexiglass 360 ramp which led to her being featured as the centerfold. She then pitched herself and became the first-ever female skater to be sponsored by Puma. Fast forward to 2013 when she had signed pieces of her skateboarding history in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History's Sports Collection, one of the pieces was a watercolor painting on a white Bristol board which she did as the artwork when she created Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word. In this same year, she started her own company and movement named Girl is Not a 4 Letter Word. The GN4LW skateboard was a collaboration with Dwindle – the largest male-dominated skateboarding company - and was aimed at the female market. When I asked Cindy about what GN4LW (go over again) meant she had drawn on the concept of the word "girl" being used in derogative ways. I was blessed to grow up a female athlete as well but, it is no secret that female athletes are used to being looked down upon in comparison to men. It is why we hear the phrases " you play like a girl" or "wow you are good for a girl" it never was about just being a phenomenal athlete regardless of gender. Cindy had told me that it's unfortunate that this is a story many female athletes have in common.

I had asked Cindy about how she felt being inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame in comparison to being featured in the skateboarding magazine and she had mentioned how different she felt about these two momentous times in her career. When describing her Skateboarding Hall of Fame induction, she stated how it is not something she brings up often. Whitehead does not bring this to conversation often because she believes that it is not about the awards she has won, but about what she leaves behind for those after her. When she thinks about the two-page and centerfold, she said that "this was a milestone. This was something you can tear out and put on your wall and stare at while thinking about how you can do that too." She had said that at age 15 and even now it is equally important because it can continue to be a representation for girls being able to do anything men can.

***Cindy with Trophy - Glenn Sakamoto***

After addressing the way female athletes have been put down by some men, I asked Whitehead about her take on gender inequality in the sports industry and we discussed that "there are men that feel threatened by successful women. If some guys were to see a woman being successful it diminishes the complexity for a man because if a woman can do it, it must be easy." Cindy then proceeded to mention that often women lack the revenue their male counterparts have because there is also not the same level of advertisement and opportunity presented. Some girls are athletes at top levels, but they stop in their 20s because they have no other choice and can't make a living.

***Cindy Hang Ten Contest - Whitehead Family Archives***

Cindy and I closed out this conversation by bringing attention to her book IT'S NOT ABOUT PRETTY: A Book About Radical Skater Girls which was released in 2017. This book was special in a way that it reached more people than Cindy thought it would because she noticed that it does not only resonate with female skaters but female athletes in general. This book features 65 different female skaters and it has been an inspiration for female athletes all over. Her book did so well with its audience that she was asked to work on another. Lastly, it was said by Cindy, " I know that my background is in skateboarding, and people latch on to my success, but at the end of the day let's talk about the girls coming up. These girls are the future and maybe with what I am doing they won't have to feel like they are second anymore."

***Cindy With 2 girls and book - Ian Logan***

Cindy has been able to publish two more books that push the concepts of self-love and confidence in young female athletes. In December 2021 Whitehead released "Self-Love Journal for Teen Girls: Prompts and Practices to Inspire Confidence and Celebrate You". This is a guided journaling method that is aimed at helping girls boost their self-esteem. Throughout this journal, you can find positive affirmations and reflective prompts to inspire girls to navigate everything that makes them special. Also, in 2022 Cindy published "Girl Power: A Journal: Encouraging Prompts and Affirmations to Empower a Confident You". The special thing this journal offers is that it's aimed at tweens, giving them a platform that's designed especially for them. It is noted in this journal you can find fun facts about awesome girls throughout history as well as positive affirmations and meditations. This book teaches girls that a platform such as journaling is an amazing outlet to better understand the strongest version of themselves.

***Girl skating others watching - Ian Logan***

As a female athlete who is not a skater, I continue to be inspired by Cindy. There is something special about a person who can spark something in others, and it is because people can find some relation to her as well. Cindy Whitehead is a pure example of what it takes to break the barriers that are set in front of us as female athletes. She embodies everything her motto stands for: "Live life balls to the wall. Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you're dead"

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BIO:

Maileena Faaita is a south bay native who grew up in Torrance and is currently finishing her bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies with honors and will pursue graduate school. She grew up playing soccer and is now a collegiate and semi-professional athlete. Aside from sports Maileena has recognized her passion for writing and storytelling. Being able to capture and share stories for the world to experience is Maileena's ultimate career goal.