Tahirah Abdul-Qadir
Being featured in a commercial during the Women’s World Cup soccer tournament may have not been on sophomore Tahirah Abdul-Qadir’s impressive list of goals, but when the opportunity presented itself, she went for it—wanting to share her story to hopefully inspire others.
Abdul-Qadir and the other eight members of the 2023 Cracker Jill team
Abdul-Qadir ’26, along with eight others, were selected for the 2023 Cracker Jill Team presented by Cracker Jack/Frito Lay and the Women’s Sport Foundation. The award, which includes $5,000 to help fuel their sports endeavors, is part of a women’s sports equality initiative that highlights athletes who are working to break down barriers in sports.
SU News chatted with Abdul-Qadir, a dual major in biology and entrepreneurship in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and martial arts champion, to learn a bit more about this award and what it meant to her:
Growing up, it was rare to see women in martial arts featured in television advertisements with large brands. It was always volleyball, dance, soccer and other mainstream sports. As a young girl, I always felt inspired when someone that looked like me showed up on the big screen. I wanted to be that person for other women in martial arts and show them that our sport is just as important.
I also wanted to show young athletes that they never have to give up on their sports dream. No matter the obstacles, each of the Cracker Jill members have shown perseverance and found a way to continue to do what they love. We hope that our stories will show others that they can too.
Born into a family of world champion martial artists (kickboxing, karate and boxing), I’ve been punching and kicking before I could even speak and have been competing on an international level for years.
Sports have been instrumental in shaping me into the person I am today. Not only have they helped keep me fit, but they’ve also taught me life lessons such as leadership, discipline, time management and following through with my goals. I recognize that sports can be life-changing, which is why I strive to inspire the next generation of female athletes and help young girls stay involved in sports.
After selecting me for my tenacity both in and outside the ring, Cracker Jack is sharing my story through its social channels and websites, and I was featured in a new 30-second Cracker Jack television commercial on FOX, which was aired throughout the Women’s FIFA World Cup.
I was also featured in the Frito-Lay and the Women’s Sports Foundation’s limited-time-only Gallery of Greats in New York City. The Gallery of Greats was a first-of-its-kind display of women’s sports memorabilia, fandom and culture that will immerse fans in the past, present and future of greatness in female sports.
Visitors were able to learn about and celebrate some of the greatest moments in sports and the iconic women who make them great. Part of the exhibition featured Greatness in the Making and as a part of the Cracker Jill Team, my images and biography were on display for visitors.
My favorite part so far has been attending the opening of the Gallery of the Greats in New York City. I was able to meet the other eight members of the Cracker Jill team, professional athletes, and those from the Women’s Sports Foundation, Frito lay, Cracker Jack and others who were involved the initiative. Above all, I got to interact, sign autographs and share stories with other young aspiring athletes.
Cracker Jack’s “IamCrackerJill” Initiative is rooted in the belief that all it takes to believe you can do something is to see someone that looks like you do it first. I hope to be that someone for young girls around the world and aim to pave the way for other women in combat sports.
