Allyson Felix, Athleta & WSF team up to help mom athletes
July 16, 2021
One of the most decorated Olympians in track and field, Team USA's Allyson Felix has partnered with her primary sponsor Athleta and the Women’s Sports Foundation to create The Power of She Fund: Child Care Grants. The grants are intended to provide mothers of young children, like herself, with the financial resources necessary for childcare while they compete in 2021 - recognizing inequalities often shouldered by female athletes.
The first-of-its kind grant program commits $200,000 to help fund childcare costs while the "mom-athletes" travel to pursue their goals in their respective sports. Athletes can apply for grants through August 31. The partners unveiled the first cohort of grant recipients who will each receive $10,000, six of whom are headed to the Tokyo 2020 Games. The remaining recipients will be announced in October.
The reason for her venture is a personal one for three-time World Champion, Felix. She has been vocal about the challenges of balancing the responsibilities of being a mother and an athlete. For example, she recently voiced her concerns on the lack of clarity on whether athletes, some still nursing, could bring their small children to the Tokyo Olympics.
And, two years ago, Felix called for brands to provide maternity protection for athletes, breaking ties with Nike after a 20-year relationship. She was public about the reasons for signing with Athleta - an activewear brand with a mission of empowering a community of active women and girls - explaining her former sponsor's unfair treatment of pregnant athletes. Since then, Nike has changed their policy, saying that female athletes will no longer be penalized for having a child and deciding to start a family.
"I know first-hand the obstacles women face in sports. It was important to me and to Athleta that our partnership reflects that I am more than just an athlete. In fact, part of my contract includes provisions for my daughter, Camryn, to join me whenever I am competing," Felix said.
"But not everyone has access to this type of support from a partner or sponsor. These grants are about showing the industry that all mom-athletes need this same comprehensive support to be able to participate in their athletic endeavors."
Felix has won nine medals in her Olympic career — six golds and three silvers — dating back to her first Games in 2004. Her six golds are the most by a woman in Olympic track and field history, and her nine overall medals are tied for the most among female track athletes.
“The expense of childcare is one of the biggest challenges facing mom-athletes who want to stay in the game while also raising a family,” said Women’s Sports Foundation CEO Deborah Antoine. “These grants will help provide financial relief so that these powerful and inspiring women can continue to compete at the highest levels in their sport.”
The initial grant recipients include:
- Gwendolyn Berry - Track & Field
- Natasha Hastings - Track & Field
- Kaleo Kanahele Maclay - Sitting Volleyball
- Natalie Schneider - Wheelchair Basketball
- Elana Meyers Taylor - Bobsled
- Aliphine Tuliamukc - Track & Field
- Lora Webster - Sitting Volleyball
- Jamie Whitmore - Paracycling
- Mariel Zagunis - Fencing
“I’m floored that she has made this a priority. This money has given us such a big breath of relief in the past few weeks,” Webster stated. “It sends the message to all female athletes that we don’t have to choose between motherhood and our sport. We can do both.”
In addition to the $10,000 to use toward child care, the recipients will also participate in roundtable discussions hosted by WSF — with two like-minded advocacy partners, &Mother and the National Women’s Law Center, to spark long-term, systemic change across the industry.