Aly Raisman: An Inspiration Now and Always
Aly Raisman is one of the most recognized and respected female gymnasts in recent history. As the captain of both the 2012 “Fierce Five” and 2016 “Final Five” Olympic gymnastic teams, Raisman has done more off the mat than she’s accomplished in competition. Over the years, she has used her platform as a prominent figure in the gymnastics community to bring light to important issues such as mental health and breaking the stigma.
In addition to being an advocate for mental health, Raisman has worked to demonstrate advocacy for survivors of sexual abuse as part of the “Me Too” and “Time’s Up” movement. That her contributions to standing in solidarity with these important causes did not go unnoticed – in 2018, she was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for her “unflinching advocacy for survivors of abuse.”
Raisman’s wellbeing and commitment to others extends to not just mental health and survivors of abuse, but to the environment and sustainability as well. Her latest endeavor sees her partnering up with the eco-friendly apparel brand, Girlfriend Collective to spread kindness and positivity. Girlfriend Collective is believed to be the first major sustainable, vegan and ethical fashion brand based in the United States. They produce products with recycled plastic water bottles with the mission of making sustainability a standard rather than a niche.
Through her partnership with Girlfriend Collective, Raisman has taken initiative to become an ambassador of sustainable apparel by creating a “Sustainability Challenge” in collaboration with the brand. The challenge encourages people to share their sustainable lifestyle tips that they’ve incorporated into their daily lives in order to inspire and motivate others to do the same.
With Girlfriend Collective, Raisman decided to drive her mission of living sustainably further by posting her challenge video on her social media platforms. In the video, Raisman shared a few of her sustainable lifestyle tips such as utilizing reusable shopping bags when grocery shopping, incorporating more vegan-friendly foods into her diet, and starting a compost bin. All the tips showcased by Raisman have been simple, everyday habits that if adopted can be incredibly beneficial for the environment.
Raisman’s decision to partner up with Girlfriend Collective has not only allowed her to spread her message of sustainability, but it has also inspired others to become more conscious of their environmental footprint. The notion of enabling change can be daunting, though by showing others that taking on a more sustainable lifestyle doesn’t require a daunting transition, but rather sprouts from small everyday habits, Raisman is leading the way of inspiring more people to join the movement.
Raisman’s influence transcends beyond gymnastics as her rise to power and advocacy has proven itself to be a motivational factor in the fight for sustainability. She is the leader of an era that demands unconsciousness and a more sustainable way of living, particularly amongst the younger generations, and it is evident that through her partnership with Girlfriend Collective, she is encouraging people to join her in inspiring change.
Aly Raisman is an icon, mentor, and leader. And as she stands up for the environment in her latest collaboration, her courage in taking a stance on important matters remains an inspiration for us all.