Massachusetts girl writes letter to Obama after women’s soccer debate with brother, gets invited to White House
Thirteen-year-old Ayla Ludlow was watching the FIFA Women’s World Cup this past June when her brother came into the room and dimissed the event, telling her boys were “so much better at soccer than girls.’’
That made the Pembroke resident upset. So she wrote a letter to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
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After explaining the situation, Ayla asked the president for help.
“It makes me mad that people do not treat girls equally,’’ she wrote. “Plus a lot of girls are better at sports than boys. So all I am saying is that I would like to do something about it. And I need your help.’’
Four months later, it’s safe to say Ayla is winning the argument with her brother.
She was invited to the White House to read her letter, in front of President Obama and the U.S. Women’s national soccer team, which was being honored Tuesday for winning that World Cup back in June that Ayla loved so much to watch.
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“I never thought my note would bring me here to the women I was watching on TV,’’ Ayla said, after reading her letter on stage. “Having the opportunity to stand before this group is simply amazing, and I’m never going to forget this moment.’’
She then introduced to the podium President Obama, who thanked Ayla and told her that her dad was “incredibly proud’’ of her.
“I don’t know where your brother is right now, but this is some payback right here,’’ President Obama said, getting laughs from members of the national team and the East Room crowd.
“Nothing gives me more hope than knowing that we’ve got a whole generation of young women like Ayla ready to take the world by storm,’’President Obama said.
“Speaking of women who took the world by storm,’’ he continued. “Give it up to the world champions, U.S. women’s national soccer team.’’
President Obama hammered home the point later in his joke-filled, congratulatory speech.
“This team taught all of America’s children that ‘playing like a girl’ means you’re a badass,’’ he said to another huge applause.
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