Well, Mr. President, that’s exactly what she did.

In an America with a White House raised up on a pedestal of empty promises, the women’s team reminded us what it means to talk the talk and walk the walk; 23 athletes wore the American flag on their hearts and fought hard to defend it. And they did it with honesty, humor and wit.

Arms stretched wide, chest puffed out, pink-haired head held high, Rapinoe earned her stars following the president’s tweet, when she put home the winning goal in the final half of the World Cup, earning her team a back-to-back championship and clinching the Golden Boot, for highest scorer, and Golden Ball, for best player in the tournament.

Though most people only became aware of the team once the tournament began, the team members’ commitment to winning the tournament stretches back four years — four years of intense, painful work out of the spotlight, making far less than their male counterparts, all for a chance to represent their country again.

As the final whistle blew on Sunday afternoon, we were reminded of an America in which women can fight for equal pay and better working conditions and have a stadium of thousands chanting right alongside them. An America where women are unapologetic for taking space and celebrating their victories, where women are unwavering in their commitment to their goals, and don’t care whether or not you like them. We witnessed an America in which you can dye your hair pink (or whatever color you please), and nobody questions whether or not you’re worthy of being taken seriously. And perhaps, most significantly, we saw an America where hard work pays off.

Soon after the team’s victory on Sunday a fourth star was sewn onto each player’s jersey; they’ll wear it forever. The stars serve as proof: It’s not hate or fear, but courage and poise, that make America.

Lauren Peace (@Laurenmpeace) is freelance journalist whose writing primarily focuses on issues related to gender and place.

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