America Loves Authentic Female Athletes
In a recent interview with The Atlantic, professional U.S. national women’s soccer player Megan Rapinoe attempted to silence those who were critical of her team’s early loss in the World Cup. In doing so, she claimed that the “one thing America does really well is backlash. I think there’s a huge backlash against women happening right now. We see it with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. We’re also seeing it with the trans argument in sports.”
On the contrary, Rapinoe’s liberal ideology is far from the reality of how women are truly empowered and supported in our world today.
There is a truth, goodness, and beauty found in authentic femininity which gives meaning and fullness to humanity and the dignity of the human person. There is no “backlash” against women in our culture; on the contrary, mothers who are choosing life are applauded and revered. We see many examples of current Olympians and professional athletes who embrace both their God given talent and their vocation to motherhood. A mother of seven recently won the 2023 Mrs. America pageant. Asked when she has felt the most empowered in her life, winner Hannah Neeleman answered, “I have felt this feeling seven times now, as I bring these sacred souls to the earth. After I hold that newborn baby in my arms, the feeling of motherhood and bringing them into the earth is the most empowering feeling I have every felt.”
The truth is that women, as they live out their many roles in our society – from sport to business to education to medicine – are striving for and achieving excellence, while being admired for their hard work, dedication, and successes. We just witnessed tennis phenom, Coco Gauff, win her first Grand Slam Major at the US Open. Gauff received a historic and deserved paycheck, and at the same time, her play inspired multi-generations. Thousands flocked to the tennis court at Author Ashe stadium to cheer on the American hopeful. Throughout the tournament, Gauff displayed grace, passion, competitiveness and was an example of humility; she even knelt to pray courtside following her victory. In her post-game interview, Coco was incredibly grateful toward her parents, coaches, her opponents, the crowds, all those who made her successes possible. As she accepted her awards, she thanked legendary tennis player, Billy Jean King, for being a forerunner in women’s tennis and fighting for true equality in sport.
I too am incredibly thankful for Title IX and for the women who have paved the way for equal opportunities in athletics. Being from a small town, I was the only girl on my pee-wee basketball team for the first years, before being joined by many other young girls who loved sport. We were always supported, encouraged, and treated equally. I went on to be involved in many different sports during my childhood, played on varsity teams throughout high school, won a basketball state championship, was a three-sport all state athlete, and accomplished my dream of playing Division One Basketball. All the while, I felt empowered by those around me, especially by my parents and coaches. My mother always taught me that, “anything a boy can do, you can do and better.” My mother, a devout Catholic, was not a feminist, nor did she desire to diminish the role of men in our society. Instead, she instilled within me a great understanding and appreciation of my feminine nature, while cultivating my many interests and talents. As a life-long athlete, I embrace and am thankful for the gift of my true authentic femininity.
In the same The Atlantic article mentioned above, Rapinoe also stated that “America is against women.” Quite the contrary, as clearly demonstrated when the University of Nebraska women’s volleyball team recently set a world record for attendance at a women’s sporting event. The event highlighted four different women’s collegiate teams, who are all based in the state of Nebraska. The games were held in the Memorial Football stadium in Lincoln, which was filled with 92,000 Americans, fully supporting female athletics. Perhaps the Midwest is a representation of what America desires in sport: young women, living out their femininity, being FIERCE in competition, striving for excellence together as a team, being selfless, thankful, while simply playing the game that they love. No agendas, no politics, no ideologies, no negativity, no excuses, just athletes desiring to inspire the next generation.
Nebraska junior Lexi Rodriguez commented that “it’s so huge for little girls to get to see women’s sport and volleyball being played on this big of a stage and having so many people invested in it.” Middle blocker Andi Jackson said, “It’s incredible, I don’t have enough words to describe how grateful I am to be a part of this world record.” Grateful. Thankful. Blessed. St. Ignatius of Loyola described gratitude as the pre-eminent human virtue. For St. Thomas Aquinas, the virtue of gratitude is a matter of true justice; Aquinas taught that we owe thanks to four parties: God, our parents and country, persons of great dignity, and finally, to those who support us. This Nebraska team plays with this sense of gratitude, which elevates their abilities and is clearly demonstrated through their enthusiasm, passion, and grit. Because of their play, these young women will be forever linked to an amazing occasion in sports history. The truth is that America is for women.
There are so many beautiful and powerful examples of female athletes and teams accomplishing incredible feats, both on and off the court. Women are people who love others to greatness, to holiness, and who selflessly give of their presence. Women possess unique qualities and gifts which enable them to make a positive difference in our society. So, I say to you athletes, who are your role models? Are they passionate and fierce in competition, yet humble in victory, and gracious in defeat? Are they women who are magnanimous in every area of their lives: living out their faith virtuously, loving their family, and pursuing excellence in the classroom and in life? Are they women, who as they uphold and set the standard for moral character in our society, inspire the next generation of competitors? Let us celebrate and honor these female athletes, coaches, mothers, and sisters! Let us also strive to imitate their example of excellence, femininity, gratitude, and faithfulness.
Written By: Tracy Guerrette