When Nike rolled out the slogan “Dream Crazier” in a 2019 commercial, it was all about the empowerment of women.
The commercial narrated by Serena Williams, who is one of the most talented and decorated female tennis players, was focused on the idea that women can showcase their potential in every facet of their lives, despite stereotypes put upon them throughout history.
Clearly, based on his recent column, Pastor Brent Williams missed that commercial. While it is only one person’s opinion, albeit an absolutely abysmal one, it is words like Williams’ that have degraded women over the years.
Women are presidents of companies, doctors, lawyers, judges and hold so many vital and essential roles in today’s society.
My wife owns and operates her own business. She surely didn’t need my help bettering herself. She got to the place she is in life today through hard work.
The sporting world is also filled with women in leading and key roles within organizations.
Jeanie Buss is the controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers, climbing the ranks and following in the footsteps of her father Dr. Jerry Buss.
Gail Miller is the owner of the Utah Jazz. Miller wrote a book in 2018 called “Courage To Be You: Inspiring Lessons From An Unexpected Journey.” The book encourages readers to find their own path in life.
Virginia Halas-McCaskey has been running the Chicago Bears since 1979, after taking over for her father George Halas. She is one of the OG’s when it comes to women in sports, and has done a tremendous job in that role.
Erika Nardini is the CEO of Barstool Sports. While the digital media company may be a little to brash for some, it is Nardini who has helped build Barstool into an absolute juggernaut. The company also has the No. 1 female-led podcast.
And that is just a small sample size of the women making an impact behind the scenes. Women are being hired as assistant and developmental coaches for professional sports franchises as well.
Becky Hammon (San Antonio Spurs), Jenny Boucek (Dallas Mavericks), Natalie Nakase (Los Angeles Clippers), Kristi Toliver (Washington Wizards), Lindsay Gottlieb (Cleveland Cavaliers), Karen Stack Umlauf (Chicago Bulls), Lindsey Harding (Sacramento Kings), Brittni Donaldson (Toronto Raptors), and Teresa Weatherspoon (New Orleans Pelicans) are all making an impact in the NBA.
Niele Ivey, who left the Memphis Grizzlies to become the head women’s basketball coach at Notre Dame, and Kara Lawson, who was recently hired away from the Boston Celtics to take over at Duke, also had assistant roles in the NBA.
Katie Sowers of the San Francisco 49ers became the first female member of an NFL staff to coach in a Super Bowl last season.
Last week, Alyssa Nakken also made history, becoming the first on-field female coach in the MLB for the San Francisco Giants when she coached first base as the team took on the Oakland Athletics in an exhibition game.
It is a shame that it has taken this long for something like those two previous events to occur. But it also shows women belong in sports, in board rooms and frankly, any other place they strive to be in.
Young girls need people to look up to now, more than ever. These female children will play a big part in the future of our society.
They need to see and hear stories about women in the world making a positive impact and inspire them. People like Serena Williams, Alex Morgan, Simone Biles, Maya Moore, Katie Ledecky, Brooke Henderson, Hilary Knight and Lauren Chamberlain have all been influential athletes in their respective sports.
The women behind the scenes and in front of the cameras continue to inspire and grow the game, whether it is in men’s or women’s sports.
There will always be people who have opinions like Pastor Brent Williams … and that is unfortunate.
However, there are a lot more people who appreciate a woman’s drive, ambition and success in the world no matter what they are doing.