As we celebrate the historic milestone of full gender parity at the 2024 Paris Olympics—and the games’ first real child care center for athletes—we acknowledge that the journey toward true equality in sports is far from over, especially for mothers and gender-expansive parents.
Elite athletes who become mothers are still being pressured to choose between their athletic careers and having a family in ways that fathers are not. Shockingly, some athletic sponsors (including sports apparel companies) are still withdrawing sponsorships and/or health insurance from pregnant athletes when they most need the financial and medical support.
Join me in emailing lawmakers so we can achieve a world where all parents can win.
The trend of women being punished financially or professionally for becoming parents continued this week on Moms’ Equal Pay Day Aug. 7, when ERA led awareness about this infuriating fact: the average U.S. mom working full-time year-round is still paid only 71 cents per $1 paid to the average father.
Don’t forget: as parents and caregivers, we have power. As consumers, we can demand that athletic apparel companies sponsor athletes with equity. As voters, we must demand that our representatives level the playing field for moms in all professions. Paid family leave, equal pay, and affordable child care would provide the kind of financial stability that allows everyone to go for gold, pursuing their dreams without sacrificing a family if they want one.
Join me in emailing lawmakers so we can achieve a world where all parents can win.