Proud

My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream

By: Ibtihaj Muhammad, Lori Tharps

Narrated by: Ibtihaj Muhammad

Growing up in New Jersey as the only African American Muslim at school, Ibtihaj Muhammad always had to find her own way. When she discovered fencing, a sport traditionally reserved for the wealthy, she had to defy expectations and make a place for herself in a sport she grew to love.

From winning state championships to three-time All-America selections at Duke University, Ibtihaj was poised for success, but the fencing community wasn't ready to welcome her with open arms just yet. As the only woman of color and the only religious minority on Team USA's saber fencing squad, Ibtihaj had to chart her own path to success and Olympic glory.

Proud is a moving coming-of-age story from one of the nation's most influential athletes and illustrates how she rose above it all.

Critic reviews

"What a clear-eyed and amazing memoir.... I plowed through it.... Ibtihaj's story is at once so deeply personal and amazingly universal."—Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award winner and New York Times bestselling author of Brown Girl Dreaming and Another Brooklyn

"Her story is inspiring and illuminating."—The Christian Science Monitor

"A tumultuous, unforgettable tale of perseverance and faith."—The Chicago Tribune

"A must-read."—PopSugar

"[Ibtihaj's] stories of fighting racism and xenophobia are inspiring... but Muhammad's battles with her own demons are equally brave and 100 percent relatable."—Glamour.com

"Ibtihaj Muhammad is as sharp with her words as she is with a sabre."—The National (United Arab Emirates)

"Fencing made her who she is today, but fencing isn't her only narrative. Her journey is one of authenticity at all costs and being unapologetically herself."
—ESPNw

"A powerful sentiment that sums up not only her own struggles, but those of so many minorities in America."

—The Daily Beast

"It's clear that Muhammad has become an icon beyond the realm of sports.... Ibtihaj Muhammad's journey is uniquely her own, and yet, it is one that many people will find relatable, comforting, and inspiring."
—Bustle

The best read ever!

Words cannot express the joy that was given to me after reading this book! Loooooove it! Truly a blessing! Proud of you Ms. Ibtihaj!

Very good!

What a wonderful example of determination, strength, and character! I really appreciate her challenge to all of us to not judge based on skin color or religious affiliation, but to realize we are all the same.

beautiful

Beautiful woman, beautiful story! Keep standing for justice Ibtihaj. A must read for the betterment of our world

Wonderful lessons and story.

I love the storied life of Ibtihaj Muhammad. She is a remarkable young woman. I also appreciate when an author reads their own work, but not all authors are dynamic aloud readers.

Powerful story

I am very glad to be able to have an insight into Ibtihaj’s personal story in fencing. As a sabre fencer and fencing coach myself, I want to be able to support all of my students however they come into the salle and I feel this gave me a way to better understand her perspective.

I am also 100% in love with her hijab under her mask. Even though I am not Muslim, I have had waist length hair for my 20 years of fencing and am floored that it took me so long to realize that it was perfectly possible for me to wear something under my mask to not have to rip out my hair on that velcro! (20 years!!!) Going forward, I am going of find a similar head and hair covering for myself simply because of the utter practicality of the garment. At the same time I hope that it can help normalize the idea of head coverings, ANY head coverings, for my students in the future by wearing it.

Thank you for all you do for fashion and fencing, Ibtihaj! 🤺