Women's Sports Foundation

#TakeActionTuesday:?November is #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, and we are taking the time to honor Indigenous athletes who elevate Native voices, compete with resilience, and inspire future generations.?? ? Alissa Pili: Forward for the Minnesota Lynx and proud Alaska Native from the Yup’ik tribe, Alissa recently partnered with Nike N7 to amplify representation for Indigenous athletes. – “Representation is important to me, and I look forward to making an impact in the league and demonstrating to all the Indigenous and Polynesian girls who love the game, that they can reach their dream.”? ? Jordan Whetstone: A filmmaker, professional runner, and citizen of the Kul Wicasa Oyate (Lower Brule Sioux Tribe), Jordan founded Rising Hearts, an organization that elevates Indigenous voices and fosters a community for intersectional growth through movement and advocacy. ? ? Janee’ Kassanavoid: A 2x World Champion medalist in hammer throw and a proud member of the Comanche Nation. Janee’ uses her platform to shed light on the realities of Indigenous life and hopes to inspire others and make a difference for future generations.?#TheEquityProject? ? Your Turn:? 1. Follow Indigenous athletes such as Alessa Pili, Jordan Whetstone, and Janee’ Kassanavoid to see along with their advocacy work and share their stories of success.? 2. Support organizations that work within Native communities such as Native Strength Revolution, Inter Tribal Sports and Rising Hearts.? 3. Stay tuned for when our next Sports 4 Life grant cycle opens in early 2025, which seeks to increase the participation and retention of Black, African-American, Hispanic and/or Native American girls, inclusive of American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in youth sports.?

Always great to see our WSF CEO Danette Leighton connecting with other not-for-profit leaders! Thank you to WSF Trustee Katy Knox for helping to facilitate this great day. https://lnkd.in/gbBNTGSk #PlayToLead

#TakeActionTuesday: Last week, the New York Liberty made history by winning their first-ever WNBA Championship against the Minnesota Lynx, a monumental achievement for one of the league's original teams! ?????? But this year’s Finals were more than just a win for New York—they were a victory for all of women’s sports, with record-breaking attendance and viewership. This WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) season saw a spike in support from the start but ended on an even higher note with a peak of 3.3 million viewers watching game 5, despite airing alongside Sunday Night Football and the final game of the Major League Baseball NLCS. The WNBA Finals set an attendance record for the league, averaging 18,518 fans per game, with the biggest crowd coming in at 19,521 attendees. “Look what can happen when you have an intention, and you put resources, care, and attention to it.” said Clara Wu Tsai, co-owner of the Liberty. Investing in women’s sports is good business. These record-breaking numbers not only prove the growing interest in women’s sports but also reflect the power of continued investment and media coverage. This movement is undeniable—let’s keep pushing for equity on and off the court.?#TheEquityProject Your Turn: 1. Stay tuned for the WNBA Draft in April 2025 and the debut of the Golden State Valkyries and continue to follow your favorite teams and players as we head into another historic season ahead. 2. Even though the WNBA season has ended, you can still catch more women’s basketball action with the?Unrivaled Basketball?league tipping off in January 2025 and?Athletes Unlimited basketball?starting February 5, 2025. 3. Continue to advocate for increased media coverage and investments in women’s sports to keep this movement growing!

#TakeActionTuesday: Last week, the Women’s Sports Foundation gathered athletes, coaches, advocates, and industry leaders for our Women in Coaching Convening as part of The Equity Project?, presented by @TIAA. Together, we explored critical strategies to address the current landscape and issues surrounding gender equity in coaching, discussed policies that support women coaches, and shared actionable steps to get more women into the coaching pipeline, and keep them there!?? ? As we celebrate our 50th year, this convening marks an important moment in our ongoing work to break down barriers and create a more equitable sports landscape for girls and women. We know that real change happens when advocates, leaders, and communities come together to drive progress. #TheEquityProject? ? Your Turn:? 1. Advocate for gender equity in coaching by encouraging local sports organizations and school athletic departments to evaluate their coaching pipeline and actively work to bring more women into coaching roles.? 2. Start conversations in your community about the importance of mentorship and leadership programs that help women advance into coaching roles.? 3. Share information about our Scott Pioli & Family Fund and Tara VanDerveer Fund with women in your networks who are working as football coaches or scouts, or as college coaches across sports.?https://lnkd.in/gjnJXMnt

Tonight’s the Annual Salute to Women in Sports?!????? Thank you to our incredible Presenting Partners:?Delta Air Lines,?ESPN,?Gatorade Performance Partner,?Michelob ULTRA,?NBC News?and?TIAA! And, to our generous Salute Award Partners:?Billie Jean King Foundation, Delta Air Lines and?United States Air Force. We also want to extend our thanks to Reception Partner?Ally?and Photo Station Partner?DraftKings Inc.?for their support. We appreciate their unwavering commitment to furthering our mission - All girls. All women. All sports? and are proud to have their support for the biggest night in women’s sports, especially as we celebrate our 50th anniversary.??? For more information on the?#WSFAnnualSalute?and how you can support, visit: https://lnkd.in/dC2rUyt.?#KeepPlaying?#WSF50 #PlayToLead

The 2024 Annual Salute to Women in Sports is officially SOLD OUT! ?? WSF is grateful to all of the individuals, partners and organizations who have generously purchased tickets and tables or donated to the #WSFAnnualSalute. ?? If you would still like to support the event and our mission, we hope you will consider making at https://lnkd.in/dC2rUyt

The countdown to the biggest night in women's sports is ON! Thank you to our generous donors for helping make this night happen! We appreciate their unwavering commitment to furthering our mission - All girls. All women. All sports.? For more information on the #WSFAnnualSalute and how you can support, visit: https://lnkd.in/dC2rUyt #KeepPlaying #WSF50 #PlayToLead

We are just ONE WEEK out from the #WSFAnnualSalute to Women in Sports on Oct. 16! ?? We are excited to share some of the incredible athletes who will be joining us in the room as we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of athletes and leaders in women’s sports — and the girls they inspire. ?? Learn more about how you can support our efforts at https://lnkd.in/dC2rUyt and be sure to stay tuned to our social channels for exclusive behind-the-scenes throughout the week! #KeepPlaying #WSF50 #PlayToLead

#TakeActionTuesday: Thursday is #WorldMentalHealthDay—a day dedicated to raising awareness, breaking stigmas, and prioritizing mental well-being for all. We understand the powerful and lasting connection between sports and mental health. Our ‘Thriving Through Sport Report’ highlights that girls who engage in sports within safe, supportive, and empowering environments experience not only reduced levels of anxiety and depression but also form stronger friendships and develop a deeper sense of meaning and belonging. In fact, girls involved in sports experience better mental health outcomes compared to their non-participating peers. Let’s commit to supporting mental well-being through sport and beyond, for all. #TheEquityProject Your Turn: 1. To learn more about the pivotal role sports play in fostering girls’ positive mental health, check out our report ‘Thriving Through Sport: The Transformative Impact on Girls’ Mental Health’ on our website. https://lnkd.in/eweX7zNg 2. Create an empowering and safe environment for girls by utilizing or sharing We Play Interactive, our free, easy-to-access digital platform to better understand how to curate a program where all girls can thrive. 3. If you or someone you know is suffering from poor mental health, speak with a health professional or consider calling the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration free and confidential hotline at 1-800-662-4357.

Meet our 2024 Billie Jean King Leadership Award honorees Kimbra and Mark Walter! We cannot wait to honor them at the biggest night in women's sports on Wednesday, October 16 at 6pm ET at Cipriani Wall Street?, NYC. Kimbra and Mark Walter are visionary philanthropists committed to social justice and other causes. Kimbra, an attorney, and Mark, CEO of Guggenheim Partners, are also major investors in sports — from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Lakers to Chelsea Football Club and the PSA Squash World Championships. WSF is delighted to honor them for their profound commitment to empowering women athletes through their exemplary leadership as co-owners of the Los Angeles Sparks since 2014 and joining forces with Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss to launch the new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), which just completed its inaugural season. Learn more about Kimbra and Mark Walter’s and the #WSFAnnualSalute: https://lnkd.in/dC2rUyt