By: Liz Harris
In July 2023, Bridget Michener and I—both former collegiate athletes and mothers of athletes—joined an incredible group of women: Meg Burke, Paula Scanlon, and Kim Russell, who were already advocating for the rights of women and girls in sports and for the protection of our locker room spaces. Meg and Kim are decorated athletes and mothers themselves, while Paula is a young female athlete and a recent graduate of Penn who famously spoke out against competing with a trans athlete teammate, Lia Thomas.
Bridget and I recognized the urgent need to inform Pennsylvania voters about this critical issue, so we began hosting informational gatherings. We were struck by the overwhelming lack of accessible information on this topic and have continued to feel disappointed by educational institutions and the media for failing to address it honestly and for not giving a voice to girls and women. It’s an understatement to say that this has been a challenging and uphill battle. As we approached the 2024 election, Kim, Meg, Paula, Bridget, and I officially became “Athletes for Action,” vowing to continue this fight until such advocacy is no longer necessary. Our hope is that in four years, we won’t need A4A at all, but we know that our work is essential now.
Despite almost 70% of the country agreeing that trans athletes (biological males) should not compete in girls’ sports, it is both confusing and infuriating that only 27 states have implemented laws protecting women’s sports, with the constitutionality of these laws currently being debated at the Supreme Court level. It is frustrating that the definition of “woman” is being contested by trans activists, and even more disheartening is seeing the very girls and women we have encouraged to speak up about their discomfort or safety now being silenced to avoid offending others. The kind and honest approach is to encourage open dialogue, and we believe that you can be both honest and compassionate while learning to advocate for yourselves and your teammates.
This fall, it became clear that to advocate effectively for Title IX and protect women’s sports, we must amplify the voices of the girls and women experiencing these injustices firsthand. Whether you find yourself changing in locker rooms with boys or being asked to compete against them, your voice is your power. Our collective knowledge and experience will empower us to create change together. We will provide you with training on the relevant information, history, political context, laws, and advocacy skills you need to engage effectively with stakeholders about why it is essential to protect girls and women’s sports. You can help educate and inform your family, classmates, teammates, and community, and we are committed to mentoring you along the way. Together, we have the power to make a difference!
Reach out to us with any questions you may have!
