Women's History Month

Women History Month

By Aubrey McLin

Ask yourself, what female athletes have inspired you? Let's be honest, we all have someone we looked up to or aspired to be like to give us hope and motivation. They help us unleash the potential each of us has. No matter who you are, where you're from, or what sport you play, every girl has had that one or two women role models in their life that helped fan the flames of ambition. A person that inspired us to aim a little higher. These role models demonstrate the mindset and behavior that is needed to overcome adversity, pursue a dream, breakdown barrier, be successful. And oftentimes, I think people associate the title role model as someone famous but it can be anyone who can inspire you or who believes in you when no one else does.

Women's History Month is a time to spotlight women who have blazed the path and contributed to increasing opportunities for the next generation of female athletes. It's also a time of reflection and a time to thank those that helped inspire, encourage, and support me in my journey in sports.

For me, the presence of sports and the ability to play as a female athlete has ultimately changed the course of my life. The course of soccer for women in the United States was changed by the 1996-1999 US Women's National Soccer team. This team especially resonates with me and in particular two of its incredible members, Brandi Chastain and Tracy Ducar-Noonan. Both women entered my life at a time when I needed their influence the most. I not only found inspiration from them but also have helped me be stronger. Tracy, a former North Carolina Tar Heel and USWNT keeper, now the owner of Dynasty Goalkeeping has been influential in putting things into perspective and helping me build up my confidence on and off the field. The excitement and love she has for the art and skill of goalkeeping is truly inspiring and has me addicted to goalkeeping.

Brandi Chastain, throughout my childhood has provided great advice and encouragement. We became penpals after I wrote to her about a school project I was working on. On some of my toughest days, I would read and reread her letters. I learned to never take a single minute spent on the pitch for granted and to take things in stride.

These two women have been instrumental in my development and journey and without a doubt for countless other girls and women. As I got older, I continued to find inspiration with quite a few of the USWNT 1996-1999 women. Abby Wambach taught me the importance of failure equals fuel and how one cannot grow or find success without it. Saskia Webber, without hesitation, made me feel at ease being open about being an athlete playing with a special circumstance. She reminded me of other legends in sports who also play competitive sports with special circumstances such as Tim Howard who has Tourette's. These women were not just leaders on the field but have continued to be off the pitch as well. They were part of a historic cultural moment and today, twenty-five years later the game of soccer has opened up so much for girls and women.

While this month is women's history month, I remind myself that every day is a perfect time to recognize those women who have helped inspire me and my love for the game of soccer. Women who continually encouraged and empowered other girls and women to take chances and pursue their dreams. Women who are unapologetically being their best versions of themselves. And women who continually work hard to breakdown barriers in women's sports. I say thank you to all of you and only hope I can come close to leaving positive footprints for future generations and female footballers.