Advocates for National Women in Sports Day took their fight for equity to Washington, DC today, engaging policymakers to address persistent gaps in athletic opportunities for girls and women across the country.
The Women's Sports Foundation, national steward of National Women in Sports Day, is meeting with legislators to reinforce how policy shapes access to sports. Despite growing visibility across women's sports, high school girls still face one million fewer chances to play than boys — a disparity that also impacts college and professional levels.
"Progress has never happened by accident," Women's Sports Foundation Danette Leighton said in Wednesday's press release.
"That is why we are engaging policymakers in Washington to elevate the importance of equal access to sport and reinforce the role policy plays in shaping opportunity for girls and women nationwide."
The policy push during National Women in Sports Day reflects the foundation's belief that celebration alone cannot create lasting change. Institutional accountability and legislative action are essential to closing the gap that has persisted for decades despite decades of Title IX protections.
Uniting Advocacy with Action on National Women in Sports Day
Co-founded by the Women's Sports Foundation nearly 40 years ago, National Women in Sports Day has evolved from a commemorative one-off into a nationwide movement.
This year, over 300 celebrations span schools, leagues, and community organizations across the country. College programs from North Carolina to Wisconsin are taking part, with pro teams like the New York Jets also getting in on the action.
"When we invest in girls, we invest in stronger communities and a more equitable future," said Women's Sports Foundation president Swin Cash. "Sport is a pathway to confidence, resilience, and leadership—but only when access is guaranteed through policy, not just promised in principle."
The Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) is celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) this week in Washington, DC
Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, the organization held the first NGWSD 39 years ago. To "amplify the monumental moments being seen across women's sports," the WSF arranged local programming honoring the February 5th event.
This year's edition kicked off yesterday with a youth sports clinic led by the WNBA's Washington Mystics and AU student-athletes. Other activations included a panel discussion and workshops.
"For 50 years and counting, the Women's Sports Foundation's vast research has continued to prove that a powerful way to positively impact society's future is by investing in girls' and women's sports," said WSF CEO Danette Leighton.
"This National Girls & Women in Sports Day, we are back in the nation's capital to both celebrate the momentum throughout the women's sports ecosystem and to ensure progress continues, so that all girls and women have a chance to play and reap the lifelong benefits of sport."
WSF spends National Girls & Women in Sports Day on Capitol Hill
Today, WSF leadership, athletes, coaches, and industry pros met with members of Congress on Capitol Hill. They discussed the issues impacting women's sports athletes, proposed legislation to level the playing field, and the economic benefits of sports equity.
Participants across the week's events include: WSF president and Paralympian Scout Bassett; WNBA legend and Mystics Hall of Famer Alana Beard; Women's College World Series champion Rachel Garcia; Hall of Fame NCAA women's basketball head coach Muffet McGraw; and two-time NWSL champion Mana Shim, among others.
"As a Paralympian, I know more must be done to get additional girls and women in the game and advocate for policies that bolster inclusion and eliminate barriers, especially for those with disabilities," said Bassett. "It is my hope that National Girls & Women in Sports Day encourages positive conversations that will lead to lasting change so all girls and women can play, compete and lead — in sports and beyond."
Promoting inclusion for all women's sports athletes
WSF sets itself apart from recent political initiatives focused on prohibiting trans athletes from participating in sports in accordance with their gender identity. Instead, the foundation outspokenly advocates for the inclusion of trans and intersex women's sports athletes.
Accordingly, in a 2016 position statement, the foundation said that it "supports the right of all athletes, including transgender athletes, to participate in athletic competition that is fair, equitable, and respectful to all."
The WSF doubled down in 2022. They subsequently penned a letter to the NCAA imploring them to revise their exclusionary Transgender Athlete Participation Policy.
25 additional organizations endorsed the pro-inclusion letter. Together, they echoed the WSF motto "All girls. All women. All sports."