There’s no question that a woman can do anything that a man can do. We have seen women cross many milestones and break down barriers in different fields throughout our history. We just saw the first female vice president become elected. The age of women’s empowerment has just begun, and all eyes are on us. 

This past weekend, for the first time ever, a woman competed in a Power 5 regular season football game. Vanderbilt women’s soccer player Sarah Fuller made history this weekend as the first-ever female kicker in a Power 5 football game. 

Sarah Fuller has shown her skill in the football field, a place that has been dominated by men for decades, and she is not afraid to let people know that now is her time to shine. 

At 6’2” and 21 years old, Fuller has been the goalkeeper for the Vanderbilt women’s soccer team, but she turned to football when the Vanderbilt coach saw potential in her. COVID-19 had left him with few options, and Fuller stepped up to become someone who could prove herself. Fuller was there at the right place and the right time. 

Garnering both supporters and critics, Fuller has been able to put her mind to what she believes she can do best. According to the Associated Press, Fuller wants to remain on the team and do better as a kicker. Supporters such as tennis legend Billie Jean King and soccer star Mia Hamm have voiced how impressed they are with the fortitude of Fuller. She is now the only kicker on the travel team as COVID-19 has restricted who can play. With this opportunity, Fuller knows that she will be able to add to the environment of the team.

Coaches, players and spectators all came together to watch history. After all this time, maybe we can start to realize that women can play football, and it has not hurt anyone. For all the people who were complaining about the gender barriers, who did that hurt? Did it pain you that much to see a woman on the field, kicking the same way that any man could? If it did, get over it! 

After watching her kick, I have to say, it was very heart-warming and exciting to see a woman jog off the field and join the sidelines with men high-fiving her and giving her the praise she deserves. When I see that, I am inspired to be better and stronger and to change the world in any way that I can. If Fuller can do it, why can’t I?