You Made #SaveGirlsSports Week a Success – Thank You!

“When it comes to sports, I believe that every athlete deserves a fair chance at success. In track and cross country, boys and girls are divided into different categories, and even into different heats (or skill levels) to keep things as fair as possible. Every athlete is responsible for working their way up to a better level, and every athlete deserves a chance to do so. When boys compete in female competitions, it takes that opportunity away from girls, many who are working hard to make it to a better rank. Due to the biological and physical build of boys, they have a natural advantage over girls when it comes to athletics. ... While I do race against a transgender athlete, I have never experienced a loss competing with him. However, there are definitely girls who have, and I don’t want that to happen to me or any of my teammates down the line.” – Izzy, a high school runner, is pictured above.

We don’t want that to happen either, and we know you share that sentiment. That’s why we’re so grateful for the way you participated and made a difference during #SaveGirlsSports Week. While our work to Save Girls’ Sports will continue into the future, we wanted to share with you some of the highlights of this past week and celebrate the down payment made on the victories to come.

This week, we saw posts supporting #SaveGirlsSports from a range of perspectives. Coaches, concerned citizens, and of course current and former athletes all participated on social media. Here were some of our favorite posts:

Kaeley Triller of the Hands Across the Aisle Coalition shared that her women’s sports scholarship, made possible by a federal law called Title IX, was what allowed her to finance college. Today, groups like the ACLU (who once defended women’s sports) are attempting to undermine Title IX by using it to allow boys to play in girls’ sports.

Kansas state Representative Renee Erickson shared her experiences in sports and her hopes for her granddaughter to have the same opportunities.

 





Marilyn Synek of Nebraska Family Alliance shared her perspective as an athlete and why she cares about working to #SaveGirlsSports in her own state!

Even the Women’s Liberation Front, a group of self-described radical feminists, joined with us to spread this important message! We’re thankful for their partnership on areas of shared concern.

U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (of Georgia) shared what girls’ sports meant to her personally and why she stands with Family Policy Alliance to #SaveGirlsSports

U.S. Representative Vicky Hartzler (of Missouri) explained the importance of Title IX, the harm of the ACLU’s attempts to undermine it, and why she supports the #SaveGirlsSports movement

And, one of our favorites that YOU sent us came from Pat McWethy of Virginia, a 74-year-old women’s basketball player with a wealth of perspective on Title IX and a huge heart to #SaveGirlsSports:

Pat McWethy shared her many athletic experiences over the last 50+ years and explained why it matters that we #SaveGirlsSports. Thanks for sending that video, Pam!

And that’s not to mention the many supportive tweets from individuals and partner organizations all over the country.

We were blown away by the support from national and state partners around the country!

This week and leading up to the campaign we were featured in outlets including The Federalist, Focus on the Family’s Daily Citizen, the Christian Post, and Kevin McCullough’s Radio Night Live. We have been blessed to publish pieces in The Washington Examiner (forthcoming Monday) and The Daily Signal.

Most importantly, YOU made a huge difference this week at the grassroots level. Thousands of you signed our petition to state lawmakers, sent letters to the NCAA, and encouraged the Trump Administration to continue to stand strong for female athletes. And some of you even gave sacrificially to ensure this mission continues into the future. THANK YOU.

Thanks to you, #SaveGirlsSports Week was a success. Now, the real work must happen: fighting to #SaveGirlsSports in Idaho and beyond. With your support, we know

Sincerely,

Meridian Baldacci
Policy and Communications Strategist