06 Dec How ‘Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word’ Empowers Women through Skateboarding

You may have recently seen a sick cruiser board from Dusters California with a graphic that reads ‘Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word’. This cruiser happens to be one of several creations by legendary female vert skater Cindy Whitehead.

Cindy is the woman behind Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word, a not-for-profit women’s movement that has already helped empower many of the great female skaters you know today. 

Nowadays, it’s no secret that women’s skateboarding is becoming increasingly popular. There are now more female pro skaters than ever and, notably due to pro female contest circuits like SLS, the skill level of female skaters is higher than ever. However, this doesn’t mean that life as a female pro or simply as a girl in the skate industry is really any easier. 

The reality is, a very small number of women are securing the coverage, let alone the sponsors, that allows them to pursue their dreams of a career in skateboarding. That’s where Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word comes in…

As stated on their website, the goal of GN4LW is “to give women in action sports the same opportunities and recognition as their male counterparts”. Part of this is done by offering ‘micro-grants’ to female skaters to help make their dreams a reality. 

Micro-Grants

GN4LW micro-grants are an interesting opportunity for ambitious girls to get funding for their skate-related ventures, goals, and dreams. All girls are encouraged to apply and common purposes for a grant include awesome things like funding to create photo/video content, social media, writing, design, travel, and competitions. When applying, you will simply fill out a form and submit a short essay (300-500 words) explaining how you will use your grant. 

These grants have already helped a photographer travel to California for a female empowerment project, the first female to skateboard across the United States solo, and even supporting a community of girl skaters in Utah. 

In addition to grants, GN4LW sponsors a full skate team of female shredders ranging from 8 to 37 years old. Their team and other notable girl rippers are often featured on the @girlisnota4letterword Instagram account with over 33,000 followers.

“Live life balls to the wall.  Do epic shit. Take every dare that comes your way. You can sleep when you’re dead” – Cindy Whitehead

GN4LW boards and book to Support the Cause!

Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word has been a partner with iconic brand Dusters California for over 7 years and has designed some super rad cruiser and longboard completes.

Currently, their latest release is a reissue model of the first GN4LW x Dusters cruiser skateboard, featuring original logo artwork from Cindy Whitehead. Check it out below:

You can get the GN4LW x Dusters Reissue Cruiser from Cruisin City – Here.

In addition, check out the GN4LW x Dusters ‘Gypsy Queen’ longboard!

Cruisin City currently has one Gypsy Queen longboard left – Here!

Finally, be sure to check out Cindy’s book – It’s Not About Pretty: A book about radical skater girls! 

You can learn more about Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word, Cindy Whitehead, and her book at Girlisnota4letterword.com.

Text written by Skatetexter