When "Million Dollar Baby" won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 2004, it became clear that the world had fallen in love with a heroine so devoted to the historically male sport of boxing that she was willing to give her life to it. With the same determination and spirit, Carol Polis has also devoted her life to the sport of boxing.

Having played a pioneering role in the history of boxing, Carol Polis -- the first woman to judge professional boxing -- is in a unique position to tell her story of breaking barriers, surviving in a man's world, and serving both as a witness to and participant in the most memorable era of one of the world's most popular sports. And as if that is not enough, she also raised four kids and a grandson single-handedly and is a cancer survivor as well.

While there have always been women role models, the emergence of Michelle Obama as First Lady, an achiever and independent htinker, represents the crowning moment in a new era. There have never been more women serving and performing more prominently in mainstream society than today.

It is even true in sports where athletes like Sheryl Swoopes, Mia Hamm, Dara Torres and Danica Patrick are standouts who have been preceded by trailblazing women who knocked down barriers and opened doors.

One of those doors opened quietly in 1973 when Carol Polis became the first female professional boxing judge in the country. Polis has served continuously for 36 years in this capacity -- traveling to nine countries and officiating at 27 title fights. Having seen both professional sports and gender politics from the inside for nearly four decades, she is well equipped to speak about sports and women's experiences as well as serve as a role model for those needing a lesson in courage.

Some have said that no town is tougher on its local athletes and celebrities than Polis' hometown of Philadelphia. Perhaps no town is more loyal to these people either. In fact, Polis is a local hero in the city of brotherly love, the fifth largest media market in the country. Greater Philadelphia serves as a perfect fit and an ideal springboard for Polis' delivery of memories and messages.

Standing 5' 1/2" and weighing just enough not to be bowled over in a stiff wind, Carol Polis, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, packs more punch in what she has to share than just about any boxer you can name.

When people are around Carol Polis, they should never let their guard down. She'll steal hearts and leave people on the canvas thinking about how "with courage, anything is possible." The reason? The Lady is a Champ!

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