The little girl in the picture is my daughter. This picture was taken when she was nine years old. She is now eighteen. We were at an event I was sponsoring for International Day of the Girl. My daughter co-presented with me during this event. We talked about the pink-tax and economic empowerment for women and girls – a hefty topic for a nine-year-old! Throughout her life, I have done my best to lead by example, teaching her about self-advocacy, making informed decisions about her health and her body, how to trust her instincts about safe situations and people, and about the importance of education. She also learned many lessons as a female athlete about leadership, teamwork, community and winning and losing. This year she started her freshman year of college. She’s navigating the world independently, taking with her all that she has learned along the way. She texted me recently and asked what I’m doing for International Women’s Day. I guess she’s graduated from International Day of the Girl. “I think I’ll write a blog post this year,” I told her, “I want to share why this day is so important to me.” She knows that my biggest reason is my desire for her and her contemporaries and all the girls coming behind her to experience equality in all areas of their lives.

The theme for International Women’s Day, 2025 is Accelerate Action. One of the best ways to create gender equality is to understand what works and to amplify it. Accelerate Action is a global call to highlight the strategies, resources, and efforts that drive women’s progress, especially for those navigating financial changes, career shifts and new chapters of life. While barriers to equality still exist, the right support and actions can create meaningful change. Together we can advance opportunities for women everywhere – faster and with greater impact.

One of the biggest ways to help Accelerate Action is to support the groups and organizations that are doing crucial work to advance women and girls. There are opportunities to support grassroots groups in our communities all the way up to major organizations with global outreach. I intend to make financial contributions to a few organizations that speak to my heart and that are making an impact in this effort to affect change. Non-financial support is critical too, and can look like calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, questioning bias, and celebrating women's success. Being a resource by sharing our knowledge and encouragement with others is also incredibly valuable.

Gloria Steinem said, "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights." If you want to participate in International Women’s Day, but don’t know how, there are many online resources and I’d love to discuss opportunities with you and share my personal commitments to Accelerating Action!