March Madness: Get Mad for Equal Pay
While most people are focused on their busted March Madness brackets as we head into the Final Four, there has been another maddening battle happening within women’s professional sports. Two weeks ago, the US women’s hockey team announced that they would boycott the World Championships, set to start on Friday in Michigan, due to stalled negotiations with USA Hockey over equal pay and equal treatment. Yesterday, the team reached a groundbreaking deal with USA Hockey that increases pay and provides greater support for travel and training. The US women’s soccer team is also negotiating their contract with the US Soccer Federation, and in March of last year, several players filed a wage discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Here’s what we’re doing today:
Take a moment to learn more about the disparities facing female athletes and share your thoughts with us on social media using #our100days. Pay attention to news coverage of women’s sports and write to editors and producers when you see disparities. Support your local women’s teams by attending games! The Washington region is home to three women’s teams—tennis, basketball, and soccer. Check out their schedules below and follow them on social media.
Washington Kastles – @washkastles
Washington Mystics – @washmystics
Washington Spirit – @washspirit
Sample Tweets:
Women athletes deserve equal pay and equal attention. I’ll continue to support @washkastles, @washmystics & @washspirit! #our100days
