Women Student-Athletes from the VOICEINSPORT Foundation Assemble on Capitol Hill to Advocate For Equity in Sport.
Athletes from the VIS Advocate Program will join US Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) to announce the reintroduction of the Fair Play for Women Act, a bill driven by the voices of young student-athletes that will help to fulfill the promise of Title IX by improving gender equality in college and K-12 sports.
Brooklyn, New York, – July 11th, 2023 – VOICEINSPORT Foundation (VISF) (501c3 non-profit) High School and College Athletes from across the country are expected to convene in Washington DC on July 11, 2023 at 12:30 EST for the largest gathering of young women advocates in athletics on Capitol Hill. The VOICEINSPORT Foundation Advocate Program will join US Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) to announce the reintroduction of the Fair Play for Women Act, a bill driven by the voices of young student-athletes that will help to fulfill the promise of Title IX by improving gender equality in college and K-12 sports.
“The gap in resources and opportunities between women’s and men’s sports is a glaring Title IX violation. The Fair Play for Women Act would make sure sports programs for women and girls finally get the full support they deserve. It would also increase transparency, hold schools and athletic associations accountable, and educate athletes about exercising their Title IX rights. I’m proud to partner with Representatives Adams, Trahan, and Bonamici on this legislation, and am grateful to VOICE IN SPORT for their advocacy,” said Senator Murphy
Since the launch of the VIS Advocate Program in 2021, high school and collegiate athletes from across the country have been trained on their Title IX rights, evaluate their schools’ Title IX compliance, and partnered with Founder and CEO Stef Strack and her leadership team of current collegiate student-athletes to conduct 7 Capitol Hill Days and over 45+ member meetings in an effort to push policy change that drives better education, transparency & reporting and enforcement of Title IX.
“While we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Title IX we are not resting quietly for the 51st Anniversary - we have hosted dozens of meetings with House & Senate Members and the Department of Education in the last few months in effort to continue to drive systemic change for girls and women in sport. Today we hope to inspire everyone to take action and get involved. Advocacy starts with education and using your voice to share your story - that is what we are here to do today” - Stef Strack, Founder & CEO VOICEINSPORT & VOICEINSPORT Foundation
The event, to be held at the Russell Senate Office Building in the famed Kennedy Room, will include words from the VOICEINSPORT Foundation’s Founder & CEO, Stef Strack, the Bill’s sponsors Senator Murphy, a formal Title IX training, a discussion on the Fair Play for Women Act, and an open dialogue for local student-athletes to voice their concerns about gender equity at their school. Over 100 students from all over the US are expected to attend to learn about how Title IX legislation affects their communities and how to become advocates for girls and women everywhere.
The Fair Play for Women Act strengthens the enforcement, data transparency, and education around Title IX in higher education and at the K-12 level. The bill would improve and create provisions within the Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights, in order to better conduct Title IX in educational institutions nationwide. Some key provisions include holding the NCAA accountable for upholding Title IX, and expanding the Department of Education database for athletic program finances and participation to become more accurate and all-encompassing.
“In our current climate, it is our responsibility as athletes to demand equal treatment and put in the work to create real change. Writing and pitching the original Title IX bill was a surreal and fulfilling experience that has encouraged me to keep moving forward and raise the voices of my fellow advocates so that even more progress can be made,” – Molly Dreher, VIS Advocate Leadership
About the VIS Advocate Program
The VIS Advocate program boasts a nation-wide legion of girls and women in sport ranging from 15 to 22 years old. Members of the Advocate Leadership team including Sydney Moore, Molly Dreher, and Mia Philippi will be presenting at the event. The entire leadership team has organized advocates in the program to create VIS Chapters at their schools, and to tackle large-scale projects like researching Title IX and outlining Fair Play for Women Act, organizing in-person and virtual Capitol Hill Days, speaking at major conferences such as the ESPNw summit, the ESPY’s and more. The program fosters leadership and operational skills that help all of the advocates create change both nationally and in their local communities.
The event held on July 11th at the Russell Senate Building had been organized by the VIS Advocates and sponsored by brand partner CLIF Bar, as part of the brands ongoing commitment to equity and access to sport. This year alone, VIS Advocates have organized themselves into regions and meet monthly to support one another’s struggles in sport, discuss equity in athletics, and how to bring more visibility to their Bill. The student-athletes involvement in the VIS Advocate program are shining examples of the impact young women have when they use their voice and they are just getting started.
The Beginning in 2021
In 2021 the VIS Advocate Program gained support from the PAC-12 Conference, to build future leaders and educate women athletes on Title IX. While program partner VOICEINSPORT hosts monthly training sessions on Title IX on their platform the VOICEINSPORT Foundation has also gained the support from over 20+ partner brands, player associations and nonprofits across the sports industry by creating the #moreVISforIX pledge, including CLIF Bar, WNBA Players Association, the NWSL Players Association, Girls Inc, Rock the Vote, Champs Sports, WHOOP, the Washington Spirit, Athlete Ally, the PWHPA, Athletes Unlimited and more.
“When we talk about the Advocate Program, people are usually impressed that young women 13-23 are making such a big impact. I am excited to see how that excitement about the work we are doing turns into support and eventually life changing legislation.” - Sydney Moore, VIS Advocate Program Lead
To get involved check out the www.voiceinsportfoundation.org/vis-advocate-program website and take action by supporting a local VIS Chapter.
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About VOICEINSPORT Foundation
VOICEINSPORT Foundation is a 501c3 Non-Profit Public Charity on a mission to close the gap for girls and women in sport through innovative sport science research, education and advocacy programs that take action. The VIS Advocate Program for high school and college women athletes launched in 2021 and created game changing legislation around Title IX, a Title IX Micro Grant Program for public schools and was awarded an ESPY in 2022. Founded in 2020 by Executive and Advocate Stef Strack. For more information please visit www.voiceinsportfoundation.org and check them out on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Contact: info@voiceinsportfoundation.org