Women's Sports Foundation

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Beyond the Game: A Women's Sports Foundation WNBA All-Star Celebration during WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) All-Star Weekend. 🏀 ✨   Together, we celebrated the momentum of women's sports, the power of equal opportunity, and the next generation of leaders who are changing the game.   Thank you to Sarah Spain for an inspiring conversation with WSF CEO Danette Leighton and to everyone who joined us celebrating what's possible when we continue investing in girls and women through sport. We are excited for all that’s still ahead this WNBA All-Star weekend! #PlayToLead Photo Credit: B. Kaker Productions

Every mile has a purpose. 🏃♀️ Meet Lauren Gilbert, a member of #TeamWSF training for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon as she raises funds to help create more opportunities for girls and women through sport.   As an official charity partner of the #NYCMarathon, we're proud to have inspiring runners like Lauren turning their passion into impact - one mile at a time.   Join us in cheering on Lauren and the entire #TeamWSF as they prepare for race day this November! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gNarQu8D #TCSNYCMarathon #PlayToLead #NYRR New York Road Runners

This week, the Women's Sports Foundation was proud to support WSF President Swin Cash at the She's Got Time Women in Sports Summit in Las Vegas by hosting the WSF Power Hour. Bringing together leaders from across sports, business, media and culture, the summit created space for meaningful conversations about leadership, opportunity and the future of women's sports. At WSF, we know that leadership doesn't begin at the boardroom table - it begins on the playing field. Our 'Play to Lead' research continues to show the lasting impact sport has on developing confident leaders, and we're proud to support opportunities that help women continue to learn, connect and lead throughout their careers. Thank you to Swin Cash and the She's Got Time team for bringing together such an inspiring community. We look forward to continuing this important work together! #PlayToLead

#TakeActionTuesday: This week, She’s Got Time Summit in Las Vegas offers a powerful event that highlights an ecosystem where women across sports, media, and culture can connect, grow, and lead. WSF’s ‘Play to Lead’ report shows the lifelong impact that playing sports at a young age can have for women. For example, 69% of women who played sports held at least one formal leadership role outside of the family. The longer girls play sports, the more likely they are to hold formal leadership roles. It’s critical that our investment in leadership growth continues into adulthood. That’s why we’re proud to partner with WSF President, Swin Cash, at the She’s Got Time Summit. We know spaces like this matter because when women share knowledge and resources, there is a collective impact across every generation. #TheEquityProject Your Turn:  1. Follow along with She's Got Time on social media and help spotlight their work and the amazing participants by sharing, reposting, and amplifying their messages. 2. Hold a leadership event for girls in your community that highlights their achievements on and off the field. Use it as a moment to talk about equity, access, and careers in sports. 3. Head over to our website and read our ‘Play to Lead’ research report to learn how sports participation builds long-term leadership skills for girls and women. https://lnkd.in/gNPZ8gFQ

The Women's Sports Foundation is proud to be represented this week at the IWG Global Summit in Birmingham, England, with CEO Danette Leighton and Vice President of Advocacy Sarah Axelson joining global leaders committed to advancing girls and women in sport. On Friday, Danette will lend her voice to two timely panel conversations: 💪What Kept Us Going: Personal Journeys of Women Advancing Sport 🤝The Role of Men and Boys Stronger Together: A World-Leading Conversation About Why Men Need to Join Forces with Women for Gender Equality in Sport Progress in women's sports has always been driven by leaders who challenged the status quo. As we celebrate those journeys, we must also look ahead. At WSF, we know that sport doesn't just shape athletes—it shapes attitudes. Engaging men and boys as partners is essential to advancing gender equality and building a stronger future for sport. We're honored to join these global conversations, share WSF's perspective, and continue working alongside leaders around the world to turn ideas into action.

#TakeActionTuesday: Women athletes are more likely to experience and report concussions, yet only 6% of sports science research focuses on women, leaving critical gaps in how injuries are recognized, treated, and prevented. Concussions have long been a major safety issue across girls’ and women’s sports. Girls’ soccer has the second highest concussion rate across high school sports, and the WNBA has already seen more reported concussions this season than in all of last year. These trends underscore how urgently we need a better understanding of brain injuries in women’s sports. As we continue to advocate for increased participation opportunities for girls and women, we must also ensure their safety. That means investing in research that reflects women’s bodies, improving injury recognition, and strengthening recovery protocols. Protecting athletes starts with better data, and with a commitment to giving girls and women the care they need to thrive. #TheEquityProject Your Turn: 1. Connect with school and athletic administrators to learn about their concussion policies, how symptoms are recognized, and whether coaches and staff receive training. 2. Host education sessions with local youth teams and families about what to do if they notice symptoms during or after a game or practice. 3. Advocate for and support research focused on concussions in women’s sports and their health impacts, so injuries are better understood and treated.

Meet Brennan, Leela, Cal, Faith and Samantha - five incredible members of #TeamWSF who are training for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon while raising funds to help create more opportunities for girls and women through sport. From early morning miles to weekend long runs and every fundraising milestone along the way, their dedication is helping advance the Women's Sports Foundation's mission and empower the next generation through sport. Join us in cheering on the entire Team WSF as they continue their journey to the starting line this November. Support their fundraising efforts and help make every mile count: https://lnkd.in/gNarQu8D #TCSNYCMarathon #TeamWSF #PlayToLead #NYCMarathon

#TakeActionTuesday: At the FIFA World Cup 2026™, it is not just the players making history — it's the officials too. Only six of the 170 officials selected to work the tournament are women. This is just the second time women have been included on a men’s World Cup officiating crew. Referees Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt are pushing progress forward as the second all-women crew to officiate a men’s World Cup match, and the first trio all from the United States. Moments like this show the next generation what is possible: that on the world’s biggest stages, women belong as decisionmakers who lead the game. To keep this momentum going, we must strengthen pathways for girls and women to enter officiating, ensuring representation exists across every role in sports. #TheEquityProject Your Turn: 1. Talk to your local leagues and school sports programs about creating opportunities for girls to shadow referees and learn what officiating looks like up close. 2. Visit the U.S. Soccer’s Refereeing Program to learn how you can get started as a referee in your area: https://lnkd.in/gYYEsd6A 3. Help amplify the women leading the way by learning more about the officials making history this World Cup including Penso, Mayo, and Nesbitt.

We are proud to introduce our 2026 Scott Pioli & Family Fund for Women Football Coaches and Scouts recipients, our largest class yet! WSF is grateful to Scott Pioli and his family for their continued leadership and generosity, as well as to Zachary and Jessica Feingold and the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation for their support. The Fund provides direct financial support to help women coaches and scouts advance their careers at the collegiate and professional levels.    Since its launch, recipients have gone on to coach or scout for teams including the Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, and New York Football Giants. This year’s class reflects the growing community of women who are shaping the future of football and strengthening the pipeline for women in the sport.    Scroll through to meet the 2026 recipients and join us in celebrating their leadership and impact! 

We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Athlete Recovery and Care Commitment grant, established by WSF in partnership with TYLENOL® Professional. Together, we are helping elite women athletes overcome the financial barriers that can stand between injury and a return to competition. We will be cheering these 12 incredible athletes on during their recovery journey and look forward to watching them get back in the game soon! https://lnkd.in/gjKhPfZR #PlaytoLead #CareWithoutLimits #LoveTheGameWithoutThePain Photo Credit: US Rowing PWHL USA Rugby Julia Piatkoowska Bay FC Jacob Hammond Ma Montayre The Snow League USOPC Marcus Hartmann