Women's Sports Foundation

Our latest research report 'Thriving Through Sport: The Transformative Impact on Girls’ Mental Health' examines the relationship between girls’ sport participation and mental health. The data provides strong evidence that in high quality sport settings, playing sports can help lower anxiety and depression and enhance peer relationships and meaning and purpose. Learn more:

Thriving Through Sport - Women's Sports Foundation Thriving Through Sport Executive Summary Report Data Highlights Infographic

We are just TWO WEEKS out from the start of the ! What are you most excited for?!

: The 2024 have come to an end, and we want to recognize and celebrate the phenomenal girls and women who showed up and showed out!

These Games were historic for women’s sports and produced notable achievements, including women athletes earning 65% of the gold medals taken home by Team USA and the most watched gold medal game women’s soccer in two decades! However, while these headlines are encouraging, gender equity remains an ongoing issue. Women continue to face unequal representation and opportunities in coaching roles and unwarranted policing of their bodies.

Your Turn:
1. The Games aren’t over! Continue to show your enthusiasm for sports by watching the Paralympic Games beginning August 28

2. Keep the momentum going beyond the Paris Games by following a sports league, attending sporting events and buying merch.

3. Explore our research report ‘Women in the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ at the link below to learn the latest insights on gender equity at the Games. Stay tuned for our 2024 Olympic and Paralympic report releasing in Spring 2025. https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2020-Olympic-and-Paralympic-Report-1.pdf

A huge congratulations to all the incredible athletes who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics! 🎉 A special shoutout to the powerhouse women of Team USA who brought home 65% of the team’s gold medals 💪🔥 We are also beyond proud of our WSF Travel & Training Fund grant recipients…

- Anita Alvarez, Jaime Czarkowski, Megumi Field, Jacklyn Luu, Daniella Ramirez and Ruby Remati who won silver in artistic swimming 🏊‍♀️
- Evy Liebfarth who won bronze in the women’s canoe single event 💦
- Brook Raboutou who won silver in women’s boulder and lead for sport climbing 🧗‍♀️

Your dedication and achievements inspire us all. Now we can’t wait for the to begin on Aug. 28! 🥇🇺🇸

'"We wanted to try to change that narrative and to really gain the trust, especially of the athletes first and foremost and their team around them,” Faustin said. “As physicians, as human beings, we want people to know that we care for them. We want them to know that we’re in their corner.”'

Column | Rebuilding from horror, U.S. team doctors sought to earn gymnasts’ trust As we praise the gold medal athletes, take a moment to acknowledge the two women working to restore faith after years of disgrace.

"Sue Enquist turned into U.S. women’s volleyball’s secret weapon. The UCLA softball legend joined the national volleyball team as a culture consultant in advance of the Tokyo Olympics and helped set the foundation for the team to win its first Olympic gold medal.Now in Paris, Enquist is instilling her leadership philosophies to help the United States chase another Olympic title.”

Meet the UCLA softball legend influencing U.S. women's volleyball's success As "culture coach" for the U.S. women's volleyball team, former UCLA softball coaching legend Sue Enquist is helping the squad maximize its potential.

Title IX gives women athletes the right to equal opportunity in sports in educational institutions that receive federal funds, from elementary schools to colleges and universities.

Women from across the world are reaping the educational and athletic benefits of Title IX and there's no better showing than watching the current ! 💪🏅💯

Every day, the Women's Sports Foundation strives for greater equity and opportunity for all girls and women in sports. This National Make-a-Will Month, plan your legacy with FreeWill and help us continue our impactful work for future generations. Learn more: https://www.freewill.com/wsf?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=eblast&utm_campaign=202408_wsf_mawm_pd

This year, our incredible team of 50 runners come from all corners of the globe, united by a shared goal: to conquer the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon and support WSF. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🌟

From the mountains in California, to the scenic trails of Nairobi, to the busy streets of NYC, to the roads of Washington, Corey, Cate, Maeve, and Stephanie are embracing their training runs this summer as they prepare to cross the finish line together this November.

We hope you’ll consider supporting the runners of . Their participation and fundraising efforts will inspire and benefit deserving girls everywhere. Click the link to read more about Corey, Cate, Maeve, Stephanie, and more: https://womenssportsfoundation.salsalabs.org/2024tcsnycmarathonevent/index.html

We are thrilled to announce that Maegha Ramanathan has been named a “Stay & Play Champion” by GameChanger! Maegha exemplifies leadership both on and off the playing surface and is a true advocate for ensuring access to sports for underserved girls in her community.

Through the Stay & Play Champions program, GameChanger and WSF will support Maegha in creating impactful community initiatives to keep kids engaged in sports.

Congratulations, Maegha! We can't wait to see the positive impact you'll bring to our community. Read more: https://gc.com/partner-news/gamechanger-launches-stay-play-champions-program-to-combat-decline-in-youth-sports-participation

: Women’s sports are booming 💥 and coverage from media outlets and conversations on social media are on the rise. With all this new (and well-deserved) attention, it is an opportune time to ensure that digital and in-person discourse is equitable and respectful.

It is essential that we dismantle outdated stereotypes, use inclusive language, and highlight athletic achievements when discussing women’s sports. Unfortunately, bias often takes attention away from the athlete's accomplishments and perpetuates negative stereotypes that undermine their contributions to sports. A clear example is the recent criticism that Simone Biles, the most awarded gymnast in history, faced after helping Team USA win a gold medal. Instead of celebrating her remarkable talent, social media users shifted the focus onto her appearance. Biles took to Instagram stating, “next time you want to comment on a Black girl's hair, JUST DON'T.”

Journalists, along with anyone discussing women’s sports, need to commit to respectful dialogue to ensure that recognition is both inclusive and fair.

Your Turn:
1. Read the “Women’s Sports Media Guide” by UltraViolet and The Inclusion Playbook to learn the do’s and don'ts of discussing women in sports.https://weareultraviolet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UV-IP-Womens-Sports-Media-Guide.pdf

2. After reviewing the guide, self-reflect on how you view or refer to athletes and make sure you are doing your part to foster a more inclusive and respectful space for women athletes.

3. Recognize bias and undesirable language from journalists or those you encounter in your day-to-day life and help them understand the importance and need of properly phrasing discussions around women’s sports.

“Not only did it give Team USA its first Olympic medal in women's rugby sevens, it prompted businesswoman and sports team owner Michele Kang to donate $4 million over four years to USA Rugby to grow the women's game for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.”

A 103-yard, game-winning score by USA women's rugby netted a bronze — and $4 million Alex Sedrick helped Team USA stun Australia in the Olympics with a play being called the greatest in the history of American women's rugby.

“Without enough merchandise to match demand, women athletes are losing out on dollars that could be going directly into their pockets, plus revenue that could be invested back into women's sports more broadly.”

Women's Sports Merch Shouldn't Be So Hard to Find There's a huge market for women's sports merch, but suppliers aren't meeting the demand, a new survey shows. That's a big problem for athletes and fans.

With less than 100 days until the TCS New York City Marathon, continues to log countless miles and push their limits in preparation. Runners Grace Yawman, Adrienne Green, Anne Rehfuss, and Paige Lawrence are making every step count .🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ 💪 This group of women, training from Boston to Utah to NYC, are lacing up their shoes so the next generation can too.

You can learn more about Grace, Adrienne, Anne, and Paige’s journey and help power their cause by visiting the link below. Every donation counts as they race towards the finish line, empowering girls and women along the way! https://womenssportsfoundation.salsalabs.org/2024tcsnycmarathonevent/index.html

New York Road Runners (NYRR)

That’s our Founder 🤩🤩

As we tune in to watch some of the greatest athletes compete on the world's greatest sport stage, it is important to remember the powerful role sport plays among young people. Our latest research report ‘Thriving Through Sport: The Transformative Impact on Girls’ Mental Health’ found that…

🎾 Sport participation can lower depression and anxiety

🏑 In supportive sport settings that focus on effort, improvement and teamwork, depression symptoms are significantly lower (9.3%) vs settings where winning is the main goal and success is defined by ability compared to others (24.7%)

🏐 In sport settings where girls have more “voice and choice” over goals and activities, depression symptoms are significantly lower (10.4%) vs settings where they don’t have that opportunity (35.1%)

Click the link below for the full breakdown on this important research, data highlights, an infographic and more, all available on our website. https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/articles_and_report/thriving-through-sport/

: The 2024 Paris Olympics are officially underway, and we are excited to celebrate the efforts supporting pregnant and parenting athletes. Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field athlete in history, and Pampers have teamed up to create a nursery in the Athlete’s Village at the Olympic and Paralympic Games to provide a safe and supportive space for competing parents and their children.

Felix’s advocacy goes beyond the Olympics. Recently, Melinda Gates awarded Felix $20 million to address Black and Native American maternal mortality rates as part of Gates’ commitment to empower women and girls globally. According to the CDC, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women. Felix’s initiative aims to provide resources and support for Black mothers to ensure safer and healthier pregnancies, births, and postpartum life.

The addition of the nursery is a step towards a more inclusive and supportive space at the Games, but the fight for equitable maternal health care must continue—in Paris and at home. We must continue to push for comprehensive solutions to ensure all mothers and parents receive the care and support they need.

Your Turn:
1. Check out the CDC's HEAR HER campaign for resources on how to spot urgent maternal health warning signs.

2. Support organizations such as & Mother that help pregnant and parenting athletes thrive in their careers and motherhood.

3. Reach out to your state and federal elected officials and find out what they’re doing to address the Black maternal health crisis.

‘“With kayaking being such a small sport, we don’t really get any support from our federation,” Leibfarth said. “So everything is pretty much self-funded or funded through the help of grants and sponsors. Getting the Women’s Sports Foundation grant has really helped me this year to be able to put all of my energy and focus on training for the Olympics.”’ Anna Laible

How a hot pink kayak led NC native Evy Leibfarth on a path to the Paris Olympics From a young age, Leibfarth, a Bryson City, NC, native, was in the water, and her interest in kayaking followed quickly.

“The Equal Pay for Team USA law ensures equal pay and benefits for all athletes who represent the United States in global athletic competitions, like the Olympics, Paralympics and the World Cup, regardless of gender. Sens. Cantwell and Capito first introduced the legislation in 2019, after the world-champion U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team sued for equal pay…On January 5, 2023, President Biden signed the Equal Pay for Team USA Act into law after previously passing unanimously through the U.S. Senate and by a substantial margin in the U.S. House of Representatives. The law went into effect a year later on January 5, 2024, making the Paris 2024 the first Olympics that is subject to the new law.”

Paris 2024 Olympics Mark First Games Where Team USA Women Athletes Are Guaranteed Equal Pay Thanks to Cantwell-Capito Law When the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics begin this week, the games will mark the first in which women and men athletes competing on Team USA are guaranteed equal pay and benefits in their sport, under the Equal Pay for Team USA law authored by U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) an...

“You don’t need to be wholly immersed — or even remotely interested — in sports to know there’s an unprecedented movement underfoot: the championing of high-performing, record-breaking female athletes who are finally getting the coverage and the recognition they deserve.”

Women Athletes Should Never Have To Apologize For Being Competitive Being competitive in sports is not a novel concept, but the normalization of women competing as fiercely as men do, along with the widespread acceptance of their hyper-competitive attitudes most certainly are.

We’re teaming up with DraftKings to celebrate all the incredible women athletes competing at the Olympics! Now through August 2nd, enter the DraftKings Free to Play WSF Olympics Pool and for every entry, DraftKings will donate $5 to WSF, up to $50,000! Visit draftkings.com/wsf to get in on the Olympics action and support our commitment to equity for women in sports and life! DraftKings Sportsbook

With the first ever gender equal Olympics underway, check out this opinion article in USA TODAY written by our WSF CEO Danette Leighton and WSF President Scout Bassett explaining how helped us reach this significant milestone and where inequities still persist.

Gender equality at the Olympics is a gold medal victory. But there's still work to do. Tuning into the 2024 Olympics and seeing women fiercely compete for podium positions is witnessing the impact of Title IX play out in live action.

We're 100 days out from the TCS New York City Marathon! 🎉 This year, we're celebrating our 50th anniversary with a team of 50 amazing runners. Pictured are just a few of these incredible individuals. Let's go ! 🏃‍♀️💪 Learn more about our team and help support their journey's: https://womenssportsfoundation.salsalabs.org/2024tcsnycmarathonevent/index.html

With 15 weeks to go until the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, WSF is excited to introduce you to another group of our incredible runners! 👟 💪 Hudson Van Slooten, Lauren Brandt, and Marisa Van Sickle are running to support WSF’s work – a cause that is close to their hearts. 💖 Representing the East and West coasts, Hudson, Lauren and Marisa are looking forward to hitting the pavement this November in NYC and inspiring the next generation of marathon runners!

We hope you’ll consider helping our runners go the extra mile and make a lasting impact on girls and women in sports by donating today. Learn more about Marisa, Lauren, and Hudson’s stories and support their fundraising campaigns: https://womenssportsfoundation.salsalabs.org/2024tcsnycmarathonevent/index.html

New York Road Runners (NYRR)

WSF’s Sports 4 Life program is celebrating its 10th anniversary! This national initiative – co-founded by ESPN in 2014 and supported by Gatorade – utilizes the power of sport to build a solid foundation for Black, African-American, Hispanic and Native American girls to thrive on and off the field of play.

We are proud to mark the program’s 10-year milestone by distributing a historic $500,000 via $10,000 grants to 50 organizations across the country. This is the largest funding and grant class to date and was made possible thanks to a special donation from WNBA legend Sue Bird in partnership with CarMax, as well as other contributions from supporters. Meet the grantees and learn more about Sports 4 Life: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/press_release/the-womens-sports-foundation-celebrates-10th-anniversary-of-the-sports-4-life-program-announces-largest-funding-pool-and-grant-class-since-inception/

The Women’s Sports Foundation Celebrates 10th Anniversary of the Sports 4 Life Program, Announces Largest Funding Pool and Grant Class Since Inception - Women's Sports Foundation New York, NY (July 24, 2024) – The Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Sports 4 Life program by announcing the largest grant pool and class since the program’s inception in 2014. This national initiative – co-founded by ESPN and supported by Gatorade .....

: The world’s BIGGEST sporting event is almost here! As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games begin this Friday, we celebrate all the progress made to accomplish a diverse and gender equitable event. Some notable achievements include:

- For the first time in the Games’ history, the IOC is projecting there will be an equal percentage of women and men competing at the Olympics.
- WSF 2021 Sportswoman of the Year, Allyson Felix has teamed up with Pampers to provide a nursery for athlete moms in the Olympic Village.
- For the second consecutive Olympic Games, the number of openly LGBTQ+ athletes are in the triple digits.

As we celebrate these achievements and the continued push toward equity, it is important to acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, women athletes had less opportunities to compete with 46 events, while men had 51 events. Despite projected gender parity in athlete representation this year, women remain underrepresented as Olympic coaches. At the Tokyo Games, only 13% of all coaches were women; and as for the U.S. roster, the percentage was only slightly higher at 21.1%.

While the progress made is promising and shows that an inclusive future is possible, to truly achieve gender equity in sports and beyond, we must address these disparities and continue to advocate for change.

Your Turn:
1. Read our research report “Chasing Equity: The Triumphs, Challenges and Opportunities in Sports for Girls and Women” at the link in our bio to learn about the current sports landscape experienced by the girls and women competing in the Olympics and beyond.https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Chasing-Equity-Full-Report-Web.pdf

2. Consider coaching a local youth league in your area! Check out our We Play Interactive guide on our website to learn how to create an environment where all girls can thrive. https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/get-involved/we-play-interactive/

3. Cheer on all the incredible athletes competing in the upcoming weeks by hosting a watch party with your friends and family!

“The woman who will step onto the floor with the rest of the U.S. team during qualifying on July 28 is not the one who left Japan at the center of the sometimes uncomfortable conversation about mental health.”

Simone Biles has moved past Tokyo. If critics can't, she says that's their problem, not hers Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles is ready to step into the Olympic spotlight once again. The American headlines a U.S. team heavily favored to win gold in Paris.

“The 2024 Paris Olympics will make history by achieving numerical gender parity on the field of play, ensuring equal representation of male and female athletes. It's a monumental moment that symbolizes progress, equality and a steadfast commitment to inclusion at the largest sporting event in the world.”

Paris 2024 sets milestone as first Olympics to achieve full gender parity The Paris 2024 Olympics will make history by achieving numerical gender parity on the field of play, ensuring equal representation of male and female athletes.

is making every step count as they prepare for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Runners Malea Lunt, Rachel Sun, and Taylor Wade are spending their summer beating the heat and crushing their training. Their miles of determination exemplify the passion they share for our work 💙 We are so excited to cheer them on as they represent WSF from Utah, Illinois, and North Carolina, impacting girls and women everywhere!

Join Malea, Rachel, and Taylor in this journey as they train for 26.2 miles this November! You can learn more about Team WSF and support their efforts by visiting here: https://womenssportsfoundation.salsalabs.org/2024tcsnycmarathonevent/index.html Every contribution counts!