ACTIVISM

December 12, 2022

With Griner safely home, WNBA focus shifts to avoiding future situations

With Mercury C Brittney Griner free from Russian custody, the focus for WNBACommissioner Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA “shifts to supporting the 32-year-old and her family -- and to ensuring that Griner’s ordeal doesn’t happen again,” according to Eden Laase of JUST WOMEN’S SPORTS. SBJ

December 7, 2022

‘Let Women Ride:’ How one mountain biker’s school project seeks to address gender equality at Sea Otter

Yoslov, a senior at The Branson School, a private high school in Marin County, California, is the author of a petition on change.org that is gathering signatures with astonishing force. The name of the petition is ‘Let Women Ride: Improve Gender Equality in The Sea Otter Classic,’ and it’s Yoslov’s...

December 3, 2022

Iranian athlete’s family home demolished by officials, media outlet says

The family home of Iranian rock climber Elnaz Rekabi has been demolished, according to the pro-reform news outlet IranWire, after she rose to international prominence this fall for competing with her head uncovered. Rekabi competed without her hijab in South Korea in October, just as anti-regime protests swept Iran following...

December 1, 2022

UCI recognised for its support of female cyclists from Afghanistan

The UCI received the Special Jury Prize for its actions to support female cyclists from Afghanistan by helping evacuate them from the country following the Taliban take-over in 2021, welcoming athletes to its headquarters in Aigle (Switzerland) and organising the women’s national championships on Swiss territory. Endurance.biz

November 30, 2022

First All-Female Referee Team To Take Pitch During A Men’s World Cup

On Wednesday, all three referees at a men’s World Cup match will be women, according to FIFA. The Costa Rica-Germany Group E match on Thursday will feature Karen Dia, Neuza Back, and Stephanie Frappart — the main referee. While this isn’t the first time FIFA has employed female referees —...

November 30, 2022

The Women’s Sports Foundation Announces its 2022 Grant Recipients for the Sports 4 Life Program – Serving Girls of Color in 40 Community Organizations Across 23 States

NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2022 - The Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) announced the 2022 grant recipients of the Sports 4 Life program - a national initiative, co-founded with espnW and supported by Gatorade, to increase sport participation and retention of Black, African-American, Hispanic and Native American girls throughout the country. This...

November 23, 2022

The 36 iconic female athletes who have changed the world of women’s sports for the better

Recent breakthroughs have helped usher female athletes and their organizations closer to the mainstream than they've ever been. According to a 2018 Nielsen report on the rise of women's sports, 84% of general sports fans now have an interest in women's sports. Insider

November 22, 2022

How Races Are Supporting Breastfeeding Runners

From pumping tents at start villages to lactation stations along the course, here’s how major races are making changes to better support new moms. Runners World (paywall)

November 21, 2022

Gymnasts to testify on first day of hearings on safety of girls, women in sport

After months of imploring the federal government to clean up their sport, Canadian gymnasts will finally have the floor in Ottawa. Gymnasts will be among the first to testify before members of Parliament today as the Standing Committee on the Status of Women begins its hearings on the safety of...

November 17, 2022

Wimbledon relaxing its all-white clothing rule to allow women to wear dark-colored undershorts

Wimbledon is planning to relax its all-white clothing rule in order to allow women's players to wear dark-colored undershorts if they choose to do so, according to an announcement from organizers on Thursday. This comes after Wimbledon and its organizers were facing scrutiny regarding whether blood would be visible on...

November 14, 2022

Marlins become first major sports team led by two women

The Miami Marlins promoted O’Connor to president of business operations on Monday, making them the first U.S. major sports franchise to have women serving simultaneously as president and general manager. The Marlins made history by hiring Kim Ng as GM in November 2020; two years later, they’ve made another significant...

November 9, 2022

New Endorsements for College Athletes Resurface an Old Concern: Sex Sells

Female college athletes are making millions thanks to their large social media followings. But some who have fought for equity in women’s sports worry that their brand building is regressive. NY Times

November 7, 2022

Kathrine Switzer On Why We Still Need Safe Spaces for Female Runners

Running a marathon is, of course, hard. Running a marathon while the race director tries to rip your race number off is another thing entirely. That’s what Kathrine Switzer endured while becoming the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967 (read the definitive account of this incredible...

November 3, 2022

Small uptick in Black female coaches at Power Five schools

The Atlantic Coast and Southeastern conferences have led the way among the so-called power leagues in hiring coaches of color to lead women’s basketball programs. The total number doesn’t suggest a major shift over the past two seasons across 65 Power Five schools with 14 Black women being in charge...

October 25, 2022

Manchester City Women To Stop Wearing White Shorts Over Period Concerns

Earlier this season, fourth-tier Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion Women both announced their women's teams would stop wearing white shorts but the move by the former Barclays FA Women's Super League champions and current Continental Cup holders, Manchester City who feature a plethora of the game's biggest international stars...

October 20, 2022

Billie Jean King says women need to ‘follow the money’ to take next step in fight for gender equality in sports

Now 78 years old and a titan of the sports world, Legendary tennis star Billie Jean King has plenty of thoughts on how best to achieve that ambitious feat. Her top priority is encouraging women to be in business. "It's very important that women follow money, they understand money, they...

October 20, 2022

Chelsea Sodaro Calls For Greater Support Within Professional Sport For Women ‘To Be World Class Athletes And Moms’

20 October 2022. London, UK /SPORTSWIRE WOMEN/ – Following her breakthrough World Championship win in Kona, Chelsea Sodaro has called for greater equality in sport, arguing that women should not have to choose between being world class athletes and being mothers. Reflecting on her victory earlier this month, the 33-year old American...

October 4, 2022

Yosemite Hiker’s Epiphany Leads to Vigorous Efforts Toward Change

Teresa Baker wants everyone to experience the ‘cathedral-like’ beauty of nature — especially POC and others who have historically been excluded. GJ

October 3, 2022

NWSL, U.S. Soccer ‘Repeatedly Failed’ to Protect Players

A lengthy independent report detailed “emotional abuse and sexual misconduct” faced by players, mistreatment described as “systemic” beyond just women’s professional soccer. The 172-page report by the law firm King & Spalding released Monday detailed not only NWSL’s lack of action to protect players, but also the failures of the...

September 29, 2022

In Defense of Adventurous Mothers

After the death of the great ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson, many of us are—again—contemplating the balance we try to strike as adventure-loving outdoors people who are also parents. Pursuing the activities we love, which are sometimes dangerous, can feel at odds with our dedication to our children. Outside Online

September 21, 2022

University of Central Oklahoma Hit with Title IX Class Action Over Alleged Discrimination Against Female Student Athletes

Members of the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) women’s indoor and outdoor track and field and cross country teams have filed a proposed class action against the school and its board of regents, alleging they and all female varsity student athletes have been discriminated against on the basis of sex...

September 15, 2022

Salaries on rise within the Women’s WorldTour but others lag behind

Salaries within the Women’s WorldTour are rising, but anyone riding at the lower levels continue to see hard times. In 2022, the numbers of WorldTour teams expanded from nine to 14, meaning more riders are eligible for the UCI mandatory minimum salary. The survey revealed that more riders than ever are...

September 8, 2022

The Way We Talk About Women’s Safety While Running Needs to Change

On September 6, the body of 34-year-old Eliza Fletcher—a mom, kindergarten teacher, and avid runner—was found in an abandoned duplex in Memphis, Tennessee. The way we talk about incidents like this reveals a culture that blames women for men’s behavior and the violence men perpetrate against women. We have historically treated...

September 3, 2022

Swim cap for Black hair gets race approval after Olympic ban

A cap designed for Black swimmers’ natural hair that was banned from the Tokyo Olympics has been approved for competitive races. Promoting diversity and inclusivity is at the heart of FINA’s work, and it is very important that all aquatic athletes have access to the appropriate swimwear. The London-based Soul Cap brand...

September 3, 2022

Serena Williams Forever Changed How Brands See Female Athletes

The sisters helped usher in a new era of sponsorships for female athletes over their decorated careers. Jeff Kearney, global head of sports marketing for Gatorade, said Serena has made a permanent impact on marketing budgets everywhere and her overwhelming success convinced the Pepsico Inc. division, which first partnered with...