The Game of Inequality

Women's Equality Day isn't just a celebration of our progress; it's a call to action, a reminder of the work ahead. My story on the baseball field is a microscopic part of this larger narrative, reflecting both the promise of equality and the remaining obstacles.

When I first started playing baseball, boys and girls played separately, even in tee ball. I played tee ball with the girls, but once that ended, things changed. The other girls weren't interested in continuing to play softball, so if I wanted to keep playing ball, I had only one choice: to join the boys' baseball team. So that's what I did.

Playing with the boys wasn't a big deal in those early years of pee-wee ball. We were all just figuring out how to play without a tee, learning the rules, and having fun. I was one of the best pitchers on the team, and no one seemed to mind. We were just kids, excited to be on the field and playing the game we loved.

But as we got older, things started to shift. With higher expectations and more competitive games, the idea of a girl excelling in a "boys' sport" became uncomfortable for some. Even though I remained one of the top pitchers and continued to play in regular-season games—pitching, fielding, and batting—when it came time for the playoffs, I found myself on the bench.

I remember the championship game vividly. We were up against a team I had previously helped us beat—I was the winning pitcher in that game earlier in the summer. But instead of being on the mound, I was sidelined. It wasn't until years later that I learned why.

A father from the opposing team had approached our coach before the game, suggesting that if we won with a girl as the pitcher, it wouldn't count as a win in "boys' baseball. That comment planted a seed of doubt, or it played into existing biases. Whatever the reason, I stayed on the bench. Shortly after the game ended, another parent from the opposing team approached my dad and mentioned that the other parents were relieved I didn't play—they believed it was the only way their sons won.

I don't know if my dad was furious, dumbfounded, or speechless, but he kept it from me then, and all these years, I have assumed to protect me. It wasn't until I was older that he shared what had happened. Learning the truth was painful—not just because I was benched, but because my gender, not my skill, had become the deciding factor.

Women's Equality Day is a reminder that these biases and barriers still exist. The fight for equality is more concerned than sports or a few divisive social issues. It's about ensuring that all women and girls have the opportunity to participate fully and equally in every aspect of life. We must continue to push for a world where no woman or girl is sidelined because of her gender.

The recent attacks on women's rights—from reproductive health to economic equality—show that our fight is far from over. These issues go beyond politics; they are about fundamental human rights and dignity. We must stay vigilant against the overt and subtle ways misogyny and patriarchy persist, often reinforced by both men and women. We see this bias play out on the national stage, too, in how a female candidate for the highest office in our country is scrutinized—not just for her policies or qualifications but for her tone, demeanor, and appearance.

Women's rights are human rights, and we must protect them fiercely. We should live in a world where every girl can take her place on the field, in the boardroom, or anywhere else without being benched simply because of who she is. On this Women's Equality Day, let's commit to continuing the fight for true equality, ensuring every woman and girl can play her game her way.