Celebrating Girls and Women in Sports is Important
Today is National Girls and Women in Sports Day, an important day to take note of. This initiative from the Women's Sports Foundation is a high-profile moment to recognize the achievements of girls and women in sports and a day to rally support for keeping girls and women in the game. The mission of WSF is to “unlock the possibilities of girls and women through the power of sport.” What are those possibilities and why is this important?
It’s possible that you could become a legend like WSF founder Billie Jean King, Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe, Coco Gauff, or Simone Biles to name just a few. All these women are champions of sport, but they are also champions of economic opportunity, gender equality, mental health, the safety of athletes and more. It’s possible, but not probable, that some of us will become elite athletes. What is very probable is that girls who participate in sports through at least high school are likely to benefit throughout adulthood from that experience. A study of female managers and C-suite executives from EY found that 94% of them played sports in high school or through college. Sports drives achievement even after the game ends.
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Those of us who played sports know in our hearts this is true. We have our memories of winning moments, tough losses, the strength of teamwork, the courage to step out on our own.? All that experience goes with us wherever we go, no matter how far we rise. We should want that for every girl and yet 40% of teen girls do not participate in sports (WSF Teen Sport Report, 2018), and according to the National Federation of State High School Associations, boys get 1.13 million more sports opportunities annually. That’s a big gap.
It is important to recognize on #NGWSD2024 that we are still working on achieving the full potential of Title IX. Also, where girls live, their socioeconomic status and family circumstance impact sports participation. Today then is a reminder that playing games is important. Join me in sharing our encouragement and enthusiasm for sports with the girls and women around us – especially early teenagers. The Women’s Sports Foundation is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year – cheers to #WSF50 – which makes this NGWSD a special one. I’m thrilled to join the Board of this organization as it works to eliminate barriers and create opportunities for girls and women to #keepleading.
Senior Vice President, Private Client Advisor, Institutional Client Advisor
9 个月Agreed! Women leading in sports is a priceless gift! My daughter played volleyball through college and it made her the amazing person she has become today!
Director, Structured Credit Executive at Bank of America Private Bank
9 个月My 14 year old daughter is the captain of her soccer team and has been playing since she was 6. Playing soccer has benefited her in so many ways including developing skills like leadership, coaching, dealing with defeat and disappointment, physical activity, pushing through hard situations, and many more. I know whatever she ends up doing in life these skills will be invaluable. It’s also fun to watch as a proud mom !
We are so thrilled to have you on our team! Here’s to continuing to build a future where every girl and woman can play, be active and realize her full potential. Throughout these 50 years, our message has been simple: that giving girls and women access to sports is not only transformative for them, but also beneficial to society at large.?? #KeepLeading
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9 个月Very enlightening thanks for sharing great to read about sports and women. Enjoyed attending my sons soccer and basketball games when he was in middle and high school, cheering on him and his teammates. Sports are great was for our children and adults as well to learn teamwork and sportsmanship. Never was an athletic but enjoyed aerobics and hiking, now like watching and cheering on various sports such as NFL football, basketball both NBA and College especially UCONN and figure skating. Always enjoy the Olympics Summer & Winter especially the Special Olympics.
Market Executive, Palm Beach County, Bank of America
9 个月So well said Katy! (From a former, now rusty female athlete) so many life lessons learned on and off the turf ?? - most notably for me, how to both contribute to and lead a team. Thanks for shining a light on #NGWSD2024