Serena Williams was recently named Sports Illustrated‘s Sportsperson of the Year, and delivered a wonderful speech when she accepted her award. Hearing Williams talk about how she wants to be an inspiration for young girls and the obstacles she’s persevered through only solidify, for me, how much she deserves this title:

The ride for me was not, and has not, been easy, and maybe your ride won’t be easy either. But I’m not standing here because I kind of just cruised on, but I’ve had my shares of ups and downs, I’ve had many struggles, I’ve had bloods clots in both my lungs, at the same time, and I lived through tragedies and controversies and horses. [laughs] I had to say it. Basically I’ve been through it all… I’ve had people look down on me, I’ve had people put me down because I didn’t look like them. I look stronger. I’ve had people look past me because of the color of my skin. I’ve had people overlook me because I was a woman. I had critics say I’d never win another Grand Slam when I was only at number 7 and here I stand with 21 Grand Slam titles, and I’m still going.

Williams then recites an excerpt from Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise, which is gorgeous. Congrats again, Serena!

Also, have you seen this adorable video where the cutest girl says she’s “just like Serena Williams?”

just like Serena Williams. pic.twitter.com/4KY8zFH1tW — deray mckesson (@deray) September 7, 2015

What did you think about Williams’ speech?

(via Atlanta Blackstar)

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