In the recent Olympic Winter games in Cortina, Italy, women were the story. Eight out of the 12 gold medals won by the U.S. team were won by women. Elana Meyers Taylor, a special needs mom of two, won her first gold in the bobsled and became the most decorated Black winter athlete of all time. Alysa Liu came back to competition on her own terms, breaking the mold and snagging gold. Eileen Gu won gold after elegantly responding to a male journalist who questioned her silver medal finish earlier in the week.
Most importantly heard from moms nationwide that their boys (and girls) loved watching those women as much as the men. That’s not always the case since men’s sports (football, baseball, and men’s basketball and soccer) are more televised, and promoted more heavily, than women’s sports.
And that’s why the joke about the women’s hockey team shared from the locker room celebration after the men’s victory again Canada was so disappointing—but not surprising.
As moms we have a prime opportunity to change that narrative for good, starting today—with our own families. Here are 4 things we can do to let our children know that women in sports—and women in schools, offices and the world—matter as much as their male counterparts.
Tune into Women’s Sports
The Olympics were a great catalyst for watching women’s sports alongside men, and we’ll be tuning in from here on out.
Buy Tickets to Games
Does your local area have a professional league—like the WNBA (basketball), NWSL (soccer) or PWHL (hockey)—in your area? Or is there a local college where you can buy tickets to the women’s games? Buy tickets and support these teams.
Cheers on Sisters & Other Girls
If you’re noticing more fan support at your kids’ schools for the boys teams, be sure to gather a crew for the girls. And if you have a sister in your family (or daughter of a friend), be sure your boys support her as much as she supports them.
Talk about It
As women, we know it’s not just about sports—it’s about opportunity. Not only in sports, but in the classroom, in the boardroom and beyond. Talk to kids about the Olympics, and if your kids are old enough, the news, and let these games be a catalyst you can use to talk to your kids, and show your kids, your values as a family.