Women’s Sports Foundation Hosts First Virtual Annual Salute To Women In Sports
The Women’s Sports Foundation hosts its Annual Salute to Women in Sports at 8 p.m. EDT on Wednesday October 14, 2020. The event is free and will be broadcast on and produced by Yahoo Sports. This year’s theme is “Speak with Sport,” which will highlight athletes and leaders using their platforms to fight for equality and social justice.
The Women’s Sports Foundation was founded on the principles of equality. Its mission is that every woman and young girl has access to sports and play and can discover her limitless potential, regardless of race, gender, orientation or ability. The Annual salute to Women In Sports serves as the Foundation’s signature fundraising event, and proceeds support WSF programs dedicated to strengthening and expanding access to sport for all girls and women, including The Equity Project, Sports 4 Life, GoGirlGo! Curriculum, and the WSF Athlete Ambassador Program, to name a few.
“I am encouraged and optimistic about the opportunity for true, meaningful change in our world, thanks to powerful voices and bold actions of female athletes and leaders this year,” said Women’s Sports Foundation founder, Billie Jean King. “As we know, sport is a microcosm of society; it gives athletes a powerful platform to connect, unite and inspire both on and off the field of play. We at the Women’s Sports Foundation appreciate all the athletes and leaders who advocate alongside us for equality, and we are delighted to honor them at our Annual Salute to Women in Sports.”
The WSF will celebrate its 41st Salute this year, but this year’s celebration will be unlike the ones before it. Rather than hosting an in-person event, this year’s Salute will be broadcast online for anyone to view for free. Despite this year’s challenges, the WSF knew it was important to continue to illuminate a path to action and transformation through the Salute. WSF’s support of sport programs and athletes is especially crucial now, as sports can connect, unite, and inspire, said Patty Bifulco, WSF Vice President of Communications.
“WSF recognizes the immense need for celebration and inspiration amid these challenging times. Women and girls across the country persevere and continue to strive – from the professional level to local youth-serving organizations – and a global pandemic is not going to stop them,” Bifulco told GoodSport. “Every year the Salute, whether in person or via broadcast, applauds and shines a light on everyone’s commitment and accomplishments.”
You do not want to miss this event, nor the athletes and inspirational leaders who will join King to celebrate women’s sports and inspire millions to join the WSF’s movement for equality.
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Boxing world champion and former WSF President Laila Ali will host the event, which features guests including actress and Angel City founder Natalie Portman, two-time World Cup champion Carli Lloyd, six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, and WNBA champion Candace Parker, among many others.
During the event, three signature awards will be given out to athletes who embody the WSF’s mission.
- The Players of the WNBA who dedicated their season to social and racial justice, will be rewarded the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award. The award is presented to an athlete or a team who exhibits extraordinary courage in their athletic performance, demonstrates the ability to overcome adversity, makes significant contributions to sports and serves as a role model.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians, who advocates for gender equality in his hiring practices, is this year’s Champion for Equality recipient, awarded to an individual or committed to the equality and advancement of women and girls in sports.
- CEO and Chairman of Xerox Corporation and VEON Ltd. Ursula Burns, the first Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company, will be awarded with the Billie Jean King Leadership Award, given to an individual or group who demonstrates outstanding leadership and makes significant contributions to the advancement of women through achievements in sport and the workplace.
The event will also celebrate the community partners, girls, coaches and athletes WSF supports and serves. You can help raise funds for WSF and their mission — helping young girls and women reach their potential in sport and life — by participating in an online auction through Charitybuzz from October 6 to 22, and reserve a spot for the Annual Salute here.
“Equality can’t wait. Together we can ignite a movement that transcends sports. Let’s stop chasing equality and start living it fully,” WSF Founder Billie Jean King said in the event’s promotional video.
GoodSport can’t wait to tune into this powerful event. We thank the Women’s Sports Foundation for their great work and believe that we must keep pushing ahead to break new ground.
Photo Credits: Pexels, Getty Images for Women’s Sports Foundation, Instagram
