A Celebration of Women’s History Month, Women’s Soccer and the WPSL
Thirty four years may not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, but in those thirty four years women’s soccer has grown in countless ways. There are more opportunities for women and girls to compete, coach, earn a living in the sport and see their faces represented in the media. It’s incredible to think that in 1991, FIFA hosted the first-ever Women’s World Championship with matches lasting only 80 minutes to seeing where we are now.
The signing of USWNT defender, Naomi Girma, for a world-record transfer fee of $1.1 million to Chelsea FC made history this year, further revamping already made decisions for the neаr future expectations into something that sets newer standards for women.
March is Women's History Month: A monthly period to look around and admire the glass ceilings being broken down and to pay homage to certain trailblazers whose actions blurred the lines. They have opened doors for my generation and beyond, allowing us to continue carrying the torch.
Some of these legendary 1999ers are Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Tracy Ducar-Noonan, Saskia Webber, etc. In my 16 years of sports, I have been fortunate enough to have interacted with three of them. Their words and memories gave me what I needed at pivotal moments in my life, both on and off the pitch. They were the ones who recreated the wonderful truth, that our greatest strength lies in women supporting one another. This monumental shift of culture is growing women's sports and fueling them with an ever increasing momentum.
Abby Wambach taught me that failure is fuel. Saskia Webber showed me that being an athlete with special circumstances doesn’t define my potential, it drives my determination. And as Billie Jean King so eloquently put it, “Pressure is a privilege.” That perspective has helped me visualize every challenge as an opportunity, every glass ceiling waiting to be shattered, every world record waiting to be broken. Naomi Girma’s historic signing is proof that women can and should be valued on par with men.
The WPSL has contributed enormously to uplift women athletes; from the likes of Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Megan Rapinoe, Leslie Osborne, to Alex Morgan. Some of the biggest names in women's soccer at one time played in this league. To stand in their footsteps is an honor and responsibility.
I started playing in the WPSL at 14 with the San Francisco Nighthawks. Training has been a demanding, intense, and rewarding atmosphere. The development of me as a goalkeeper and with a strong mentality finds its roots in the WPSL. I'm excited this season to join my hometown team, the California Storm, for this upcoming WPSL season. I am ever so grateful to this league for the sisterhood, the lessons of life and teammates who were ever my mentors and role models, helping to formulate me into the athlete and person I am today. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities I have had, the mentors who have been so supportive, and the trailblazers who have paved the way. Women's soccer is built atop the courage of those who came before us, fearless and unapologetic and undeniably badass. Here's to carrying the day for WPSL and paving the way for women.