International Women's Day is a time for putting even greater emphasis on championing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the globe.
To mark the occasion, Mirror Sport sat down with one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, to discuss what it means to her. “International Women’s Day is a day where women get to use our voice and talk about different things that impact us and create a pathway for the future,” she began.
“For me it’s wonderful as women we get this day to speak and speak loud, so everyone can hear us. I am looking forward to doing more to change the narrative about who we are as women. It’s not just about the medals that we win but it's about what we do off the track.
“I really want to show women that we can change circumstances for young girls and show them that we too are powerful and we can impact our communities.”
The star runner went on to hail her mother Maxine Simpson, someone who has impacted her life on and off the track. “I want to talk about my mum,” the 2023 Laureus Sports Award nominee explained. “She was one of those women who created an avenue for me and my future growing up and I didn't have a lot of role models because of the environment I was in.
“My mum was always working and always trying to create every opportunity for me to escape my environment. She sacrificed her life and enjoyment to ensure that I was able to make it.” In fact, had it not been for the persistence of Fraser-Pyce’s mother, there is a good chance fans may never have seen the Pocket Rocket light up tracks around the world.
She not only saw a God-given talent in her daughter, but instilled the belief in her that she could succeed. “At the time I didn’t know I wanted to do track but she saw that potential and I’m glad she never gave up and I’m glad I didn’t resist,” the track and field icon said.
“Sometimes I would be angry and didn't want to go to the track and practice because at that time I had a problem with believing in myself and what I was able to do and seeing myself as more.” Since bursting onto the scene and winning her first Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 36-year-old has dominated her sport. The sprint queen has captured a total of three gold medals at the Games and a further 10 at the World Championships.
Along with a top prize at the 2014 Commonwealth and 2019 Pan American Games, the five-time Diamond League winner is in a league of her own and has raised the standard of elite sprinting to new heights. The Jamaican is preparing to once again defend her 100m crown at the World Championships in Budapest this summer and claim what would be her sixth title over the shortest distance at the event.
Along with her electrifying speed, Fraser-Pryce is also known for donning colourful and flamboyant wigs on track. Seeing her bright and fluorescent locks flow behind her as she bombs down the track is one the more special sights in the sport, and one that will be sorely missed when the icon hangs up her spikes.
But where does it come from? Well, fans have another thing to thank the athlete’s mother for. “My mum would always show up at school sports days wearing the colours of my house, she was always there showing up in her different colour wigs,” Fraser-Pryce recalled.
“But it’s also about expressing yourself and being comfortable with who you are - showing up for work in your best outfit and giving yourself an advantage to perform at your best," she added.
“It’s like my wigs are a superpower and I’m able to go into character and it’s almost like you feel invincible. It makes me feel good to be able to express myself in that way because as athletes we are all unique and there are different ways we want to celebrate who we are. I am proud to wear my wigs.”
The Jamaican disclosed that the joy of picking out the colour and style for her new wigs helps to relieve some of the anxiety and pressure leading up to a major event. It is a process she will go through once again in the build-up to the summer World Championships, where she hopes to run below 10.6 seconds, which would mark a new personal best.
“I’m really excited about the progress that we’ve been making,” she said. “Last year was really fun but I’m really hungry for more and to dip below that 10.6 barrier.”
As much love as Fraser-Pryce has for running fast and winning championships, one of the closest things to her heart is her Pocket Rocket foundation, which has been in operation since 2012. The organisation is dedicated to fuelling the futures of student athletes and their community members to enable them to soar to new and unimaginable heights.
Their mission is to enrich the lives of student athletes by supporting their educational development and basic needs, along with helping to enhance the lives of the children and their families across Jamaica. Having grown up in the tough community of Waterhouse, Fraser-Pryce is determined to use her platform to provide services for the younger generation, that were simply not available to her growing up.
As many as 62 children have received scholarships via the Pocket Rocket foundation so far and this Saturday, Fraser-Pyrce will head to Miami to receive the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) International Humanitarian Award for her incredible work over the past decade.
“I’m feeling good," she said with a big grin. "Impact is at the forefront of my career and my journey as an athlete and growing up I had the assistance of some many wonderful people in my life and giving back is what I love the most.
“I feel so honoured and blessed to be able to have this award because of what it means and the impact that I have here in Jamaica and what I want to achieve with my Pocket rocket foundation.
"Being nominated for this award is truly wonderful because it’s a change that I want to see not just for me but other young and student athletes who are coming after me.” With Fraser-Pryce continuing to guide and help the next generation, they are certainly in good hands.
