In a groundbreaking initiative, Olympian Sarah Lewis has teamed up with Athleta and the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) to unveil a unique childcare grant program aimed at supporting athletic mothers. This initiative, titled The Power of She Fund: Child Care Grants, will provide $10,000 to each mom athlete participating in the Tokyo Summer Olympics and the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, totaling $200,000 in funding. Lewis emphasizes that this support will “make a significant difference” in the lives of athletic mothers.
The program, the first of its kind, seeks to address the systemic inequalities faced by female athletes, particularly regarding childcare. Lewis, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and mother to a young daughter, shares her own experiences, stating, “As both a mother and an athlete, I understand the challenges women encounter in the sports world.” She highlights the importance of comprehensive support for all mom athletes, noting that her contract includes provisions for her daughter to accompany her during competitions.
Inaugural Recipients
The inaugural recipients of The Power of She Fund include nine remarkable mom-athletes, such as gold medal-winning sitting volleyball player Mia Rodriguez and runner Jasmine Lee, with six of them set to compete in Tokyo. Rodriguez, who has three children, reflects on the difficulty of balancing training and motherhood, explaining how limited childcare options often hinder her athletic pursuits.
These grants not only offer financial relief for childcare expenses but also provide vital resources and support for mom-athletes to thrive in their sports careers. Additionally, recipients will engage in roundtable discussions facilitated by WSF, &Mother, and the National Women’s Law Center to promote long-lasting change in the industry.
A Call for Systemic Change
Lewis hopes this initiative will catalyze a broader shift in how women are supported in sports, saying, “I truly believe this can inspire systemic change and support women holistically.” Starting July 8, mom-athletes can apply for the next round of Child Care Grants through the WSF website.
Deborah Antoine, CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation, states, “Childcare expenses are among the most significant challenges for mom-athletes striving to maintain their athletic careers while raising families. These grants will provide much-needed financial relief, enabling these inspiring women to compete at the highest levels.”
Related Resources
For more information on related topics, check out this blog post or explore resources on pregnancy and home insemination at WHO. Additionally, Intracervical Insemination offers authoritative guidance on this subject.
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In summary, the partnership between Sarah Lewis and Athleta to establish childcare grants aims to alleviate the financial burdens faced by athletic mothers, fostering an environment where they can pursue their sports careers while raising families. This initiative not only provides crucial funding but also advocates for systemic changes in the industry to better support women in sports.