Starting My Engine

I can't say I've ever been a big NASCAR fan, but I am a fan of 18 year old cars. My first car, a 1988 Chevy Caprice Classic, kept me going through two degrees and a move to Washington, DC. My current car, a Honda CRV, has also reached voting age; perfect timing in 2024.

I take pride in keeping cars going for a long time (frequent oil changes, thanks Dad), but I'm even more excited to share the news that I published a new book called Voices of Title IX: Chelmsford High School Girl Athletes and the Women They Became.

The seed for this book was planted almost four years ago, but it took a while to finalize the concept and figure out how to market it. This creative process took away from this newsletter and much of my weekly journal writing. Two weeks ago we hosted a Celebration of Voices in my hometown where 200 coaches, administrators, teachers, supporters, and current and former student-athletes united to honor how the town of Chelmsford, Mass. responded to the mandate of Title IX in 1972. To say it was magical is an understatement, and I posted more about it last week.

I have also been busy speaking at high schools, colleges, and universities about gender equity and sport. You might have noticed that this industry is having a moment.

The feedback I'm receiving is rather interesting. Many education and sport leaders are asking for more help in ways to promote leadership skills and traits for girls and young women. How can we utilize sport to solve this problem? More specifically, what techniques can coaches use to model positive relationships with their student-athletes?

In some ways, it reflects decades-old research that sport promotes greater self-esteem and self-confidence. But as more young girls and women have opportunities to speak, my global research on the constructs of sport, gender equity, and voice empowerment is increasingly valuable.

This is the work that KR LLC is committed to.

In My Research

"In a nation like Ethiopia, public women role models are extremely rare. A majority of women are married in their teens and do not work outside the home. But Fatiya is in a category all her own. When walking in town with Fatiya, all eyes are on her. And she knows it.?

They know her to be strict but caring. They know her to be a talented coach whose athletes succeed at the national level.

Instead of ruling with scare tactics, Fatiya is unmistakably unique. She is herself.?

Fatiya could easily use fear to get results. But getting results is not the same as motivating athletes and that delineation sometimes gets muddled.

Fatiya knows that most of her athletes will not turn pro, but they need to be strong to challenge the patriarchal system that wants to keep them at home. Graduating from high school will make them the most educated people in their families, but the Ethiopian job market is not particularly robust. Still, that’s no reason to settle. Sport is the vehicle that can challenge mindsets and build confidence. This research is nothing new to any of us." - Kathleen Ralls, "Lessons Learned From High School Sports," Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference, April 12, 2024.

Take Her Word for It | Voices of Title IX

"What long-term impacts do sports have on girls and women?

This is the question Voices of Title IX sought to answer in the wake of the 50th anniversary of the ratification of the ground-breaking Title IX legislation. The answer lies in the voices of 150 student-athletes, coaches, teachers, and administrators who all contributed to the expansion and success of the girl athletic programs at Chelmsford High School (CHS) in Massachusetts.

The 1972 Education Amendments established a basis for gender equity rights at public education institutions. Rather unintentionally, the phrase “Title IX” has become synonymous with the explosion of athletic opportunities for American girls and women. Over three million girls across the U.S. have competed in high school athletics in the last 50 years.

In this book, alumni of the CHS athletic department share how sports continue to positively impact their lives both personally and professionally. They speak of the highs and lows of being a high school athlete, and all the fun and challenges that come with team-building. There is no shortage of relatable tears, teen angst, and triumph that comes with growing up and reflecting upon life lessons learned from teammates and coaches. In the same breath, their reflections on confidence and leadership demonstrate how their opportunity to be an athlete has changed the local, national, and global landscape of countless professional fields."

Women's Sports History

The 1928 basketball season marked the first time a girls team was officially recognized by my high school. This was in the era where girls and women basketball players were not allowed to play both sides of the court.

But this team had some gumption. They started out getting trounced 78-9 by a local Westford team. 78 points in a high school game is a big deal in Massachusetts!

But following two more losses, the Chelmsford squad (they weren't officially the Lions until the 1950s) rallied for four straight wins including a rousing 32-23 victory over the faculty. Quite the turnaround!

On April 18th, 1928, this team was honored at the first official basketball banquet held at the town hall. I only wish I had the opportunity to gather their voices on what that first season was like.

At KR LLC, we believe women athletes are perfectly positioned to be standout leaders.

And if you want to relive a little bit of your glory years, we’re here for that as well!