Karen Chammas

Lebanon

Karen Chammas wanted to quit judo many times. She started on the mat at the age of four, but as she got older, she could hear what people were saying about a girl trying to excel in martial arts. “Growing up,” she says, “the main reason I didn’t want to continue judo was because of the negative comments I used to get: ‘Why are you doing judo? Judo is for boys. Go to ballet. Go do piano.’ You’re going to have a muscular body. You’re not going to find a boyfriend.’”

Strong Women. Better World. Season 1, Episode 4. - Hoop Dreams in Lebanon with Racha Kalot and Karen Chamas

The Strong Women. Better World. Podcast is a globe-trotting storytelling project about fearless women who are using the power of sport, education, and social innovation to create a better world. These women stand on the shoulders of pioneers who fought for the passage of Title IX, an educational amendment that gave rise to the female athlete in the United States and has significant worldwide ripple effects.

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Karen Chammas

Podcast

Strong Women. Better World. Season 1, Episode 4. - Hoop Dreams in Lebanon with Racha Kalot and Karen Chamas

“(TITLE IX IS) A SOCIAL REVOLUTION WITH AN IMPACT
AS LARGE AS THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.”

BERNICE (BUNNY) SANDLER

Karen Chammas

Podcast

Strong Women. Better World. Season 1, Episode 4. - Hoop Dreams in Lebanon with Racha Kalot and Karen Chamas

“(TITLE IX IS) A SOCIAL REVOLUTION WITH AN IMPACT AS LARGE AS THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.”

BERNICE (BUNNY) SANDLER

“(TITLE IX IS) A SOCIAL REVOLUTION WITH AN IMPACT
AS LARGE AS THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.”