Total Bragging

I know this is total bragging but I feel the need to shout to the world....

My wife is a Martial Arts Instructor. To give some context, different styles and different associations have different meanings associated with various ranks and titles. Thus, a 6th Degree Black Belt in one organization would have completely different requirements than another organization. Same thing with the title of Master. In some places, if you are a school owner, you are a 'Master'. In other associations such as ours, it is a very tightly held honor.

Long story short, my wife is in the American Taekwondo Association which is part of the World Traditional Taekwondo Union. The world's largest martial art association. In the history of the ATA/WTTU there have only been 31 women ever awarded the rank of 6th Degree and the title of 'Master'.

My wife received notice this morning that she will be inducted as the 32nd female Master! (She's already a 6th degree black belt.)

That's just huge. The 32nd woman EVER.

Many of us don't think about barriers on society. Hopefully the world is moving past race, gender and other criteria.

When my wife tested for 6th Degree, she was the only woman out there testing surrounded by men. (You test at World Championships in front of thousands of people). There was a little girl about 8 years old with her mother next to me in the crowd. The girl spoke to her mother noticing my wife and obviously not know I was married to the woman she was talking about. She said "Mommy, Mommy, look there's a girl testing!" The mother looked at the program and said, "Yeah, that's Mrs. McDonald from Houston." The girl said, "I didn't know girls could be Masters" At that point I spoke up and explained my relationship. I told the girl that if my wife was with us, she tell her that girls can do anything they set their heart to and work hard for. The little girl then told me that she was going to be the first Grand Master. (Highest title possible). I thought that was just AWESOME.

Fortunately, my 11 year old daughter had the poise to remain quiet. She had already claimed the opportunity to be the first female Grand Master years ago watching her Mommy do the hard work.

So... thanks for reading my shout to the world... MY WIFE IS GOING TO BE A MASTER!!!! WHOOOP!!!

Thanks
Mark

 

Congrats! That is awesome.

 

All i can say is ... wow.

As a mother with a 14 year old daughter - i can definitely relate to this post.

You have SO much to be proud of! That is just astounding!

regards,
elizabeth

 

Cool!!!

 

That is great.....

I also bet you don't smart off to her much either...

 

got to thinking about what Otty said...

yeah - you are "licensed" to carry quite the lethal weapon aren't you?



Have to believe that she is amazing to see in action.

 

that's cool dude. pass on the congrats from us to her

 

Congratulations to you both!!

 

thats really awesome tell her congrats

 

Nothing wrong with being proud of accomplishment through hard work. Congratulations to her on her accomplishment. You just get to keep the silly smile.;D