Girls Fest 2021 Promotes Equality in Sports
January 29, 2021
The 35th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) will be celebrated in the US on February 3. Powered by Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), the celebration draws national attention to the importance of equal opportunities in sport for girls and women. It aims to inspire girls and women to play, be active and realize their full power.
Every year, NGWSD inspires girls and women to play and be active, however, this year with the coronavirus pandemic, WSF recognizes the importance of staying mentally and physically healthy during challenging times. Therefore, they will host their first-ever Girls Fest on their YouTube channel, an online event geared towards elementary, middle and high school girls and their families.
Hosted by World Rugby Hall of Famer and WSF President Phaidra Knight, young athlete and journalist Pepper Persley and award-winning basketball analyst LaChina Robinson, this free event is designed to engage girls and honor all that they are, and all that they can be. Girls Fest will include: behind the scenes dialogue with Olympic and Paralympic champions currently training for the Tokyo Olympic Games; an interactive conversation by girls for girls, discussing sports advocacy and their ability to lead; and a kickoff to the #LeadHerForward Fitness Challenge featuring WSF Athlete Ambassadors inviting girls to stay active and join their team.
Special guests will include two-time Olympic Ice Dancing gold medalist, Meryl Davis, 23-time Paralympic Swimming medalist, Jessica Long and USA Women’s Rugby Sevens team gold medalist, Nicole Heavirland, among other champion athletes.
"I know from my own experience that sport provides tremendous life-long benefits – health, mastery, comradery, confidence, leadership – and having equal access and opportunity to participate is important," said Knight.
"We are proud of the heritage of National Girls & Women in Sports Day, which celebrates and advocates for all girls and women athletes, at every level. I'm also excited to co-host our Girls Fest, to inspire and rally this next generation to realize they have the power to help lead us all forward."
In addition to celebrating girls, another WSF hallmark of NGWSD is meeting with Capitol Hill policymakers about current legislation and issues that impact sport and the importance of equity and equality in their decisions. Given the pandemic, the WSF contingent – comprised of Foundation's leadership, Trustees and WSF Athlete Ambassadors – will be meeting with leaders of the US House of Representatives and the Senate, virtually.
The Foundation has a rich history of advocating for policy and practices that shape equal opportunity and access for girls and women in sport. From serving as a protector of Title IX to launching The Equity Project, WSF strives to be an ally, advocate and catalyst for tomorrow's leaders. NGWSD provides an important platform to further WSF's advocacy and public policy work.
"Though we are in complex, challenging times, the Women's Sports Foundation never falters in our determination to be a beacon of empowerment and inspiration for girls and women," said Deborah Antoine, WSF CEO. "The fight for equality is the very cornerstone of our Foundation, and meeting with government leaders about legislation that can have a lasting impact on girls and women in sport, is critical to our mission."