Lisa Guerrero: A gift for your daughters

It’s that time of year so I’ve been counting my blessings. One of them certainly has been writing this blog at the Fabulous Forum. It’s given me a voice to express my views, but also an opportunity to hear from you ... whether you agree with me on a given topic or not.

A lot of you have left your comments here on this board, but even more of you have contacted me on my website to share your feelings in greater depth.

One recent message really touched me and I thought I’d share it with you.

After reading my Oct. 3 "Father's Day" blog about Joe Biden, I received a message from a father in Seattle. His wife had died of breast cancer last March, leaving him to raise his 7-year-old daughter alone.

He, too, was moved by Biden’s performance during the vice presidential debate. After reading that I had been raised by a single dad, he wrote to ask me for advice on helping him to communicate with his daughter.

I recommended a couple of great books: "Reviving Ophelia" by Mary Pipher and "Motherless Daughters" by Hope Edelman.

He wrote back a couple of days ago to ask about Christmas gift ideas for his daughter. After much thought, I came up with a gift list for those of you with young daughters who may have expressed an interest in sports.

A good deal of research shows that girls who get involved in sports at an early age are less likely to try drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. Athletes also have a greater chance of finishing high school and are more likely to avoid teen pregnancy (a subject that "Reviving Ophelia" explores at length).

If your daughter loves movies (and who doesn’t), why not give her a collection of “girl power” DVDs to help develop her growing interest in sports?

Try these (for teens):

Gracie (2007, PG-13) -- It’s about a young girl who wants to compete with the boys on the soccer field, and is loosely based on actress Elisabeth Shue (who played on several boys’ soccer teams in New Jersey).

The Longshots (2008, PG) -- The true story of a girl who became the first female to play in a Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-year history.

Ice Castles (1978), PG) -- A teenage figure skater overcomes adversity to realize her dreams.

A League of Their Own (1992, PG) -- Madonna and Geena Davis play in a professional women’s baseball league during World War II.

The Next Karate Kid (1994, PG-13) -- Stars Hilary Swank as a troubled teenager who, through karate, copes with the loss of her parents.

For younger girls:

Quarterback Princess (1983, not rated) -- A girl quarterback, played by Helen Hunt, wins over her team and the entire town.

Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005, PG) -- Dakota Fanning plays a girl who saves an injured race horse.

National Velvet (1945) -- The classic about a boy (Mickey Rooney) and a girl (Elizabeth Taylor) and a horse.

Moondance Alexander (2008, G) -- Yet another movie about a girl and a horse -– this one features an appearance by figure skater Sasha Cohen.

The Longshots (2008, PG) -- The true story about a girl who became the first female to play in a Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-year history.

These lists got me thinking about compiling a list of my Top 10 Chick Sports Flicks (for grown-up girls). Feel free to send us your ideas if I’ve left your favorite out.

Sports films about women are few and far between, unfortunately, so I’ve reached back quite a few decades to round out my list.

10. Bring It On (2000) –- I’m a sucker for cheer competitions, being a former rah-rah myself.

9. The Other Side of the Mountain (1975) –- The true story of ski champ Jill Kinmont. This cannot be viewed without a box of Kleenex. I’m warning you.

8. The Cutting Edge (1992) -- Two words for ya: Toe. Pick.

7. Wilma (1977) –- The true story of Olympic track star Wilma Rudolph. Also marks the film debut of 23-year-old Denzel Washington.

6. National Velvet (1945) -– This film won two Oscars and stars and 11-year-old Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney. Classic.

5. Bend It Like Beckham (2002) -– The reason little American girls became aware of David Beckham (and big American boys became aware of Keira Knightley).

4. Heart Like a Wheel (1983) –- Starring an amazing Bonnie Bedelia as Shirley Muldowney, the first female top-fuel drag racing champion.

3. A League of Their Own (1992) –- This classic airs this weekend on guess which network:

A. ESPN
B. Fox Sports Net
C. Oxygen

The answer is C. Duh.

2. Girlfight (2000) –- Michelle Rodriguez is slightly more intimidating in her boxing picture than I am in mine. She wins.

   

1. Million Dollar Baby (2004) –- One of the best sports films ever, regardless of gender. Won four Academy Awards, including best picture. Scoreboard, Clint Eastwood. And Morgan Freeman. And Hilary Swank…

-- Lisa Guerrero

Lisa Guerrero has covered Super Bowls, the NBA Finals and the World Series, along with the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys. As an actress, she has appeared on "Frasier" and "The George Lopez Show" and as Billy Baldwin's long-suffering wife in the film "A Plumm Summer," which she executive-produced.

Photo, left: Michelle Rodriguez in "Girlfight." Credit: Andrea Morini / Screen Gems/Sony Pictures.

Photo, right: Lisa Guerrero

Comments

[WC]

Very thoughtful of you, Lisa. Dads with daughters need all the help they can get in providing encouragement, hope and confidence. We're seeing more and more young women succeed in sports (as in other fields) only to find that most still can't earn as much as their male counterparts. Maybe our responsibility as Dads goes beyond coaching the soccer team, to make sure that the reward system is on a level playing field.

[Jane Schonberger]

Great list of films! Would also recommend "Stick It", "Blue Crush", "Heart of the Game", "Love & Basketball (my personal fave) and "Chak De India" (a great Indian film about a girl's field hockey team)

Also if you're looking for great fiction titles for sporty girls, take a look at the Pretty Tough book series by Liz Tigelaar (Razorbill).

KLIATT says: "The sports elements balanced with those exploring the dynamics of friendship make this a title that will have broad appeal.”

The Library Journal says: "With its classic themes of sisterhood and romance, Pretty Tough is an updated version of Francine Pascal’s “Sweet Valley High” series with a sports twist."

These books feature a group of girls who constantly push limits and kick grass on and off the field. Perfect for Young Adult readers tired of the same old chick lit.