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Jackie Robinson Museum to Host Leveling the Playing Field: Women in Soccer Panel on June 6 Featuring Kia McNeill
5/24/2024 12:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer
NEW YORK - The Jackie Robinson Museum (JRM) will host "Leveling the Playing Field: Women in Soccer" on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in the Museum's portrait gallery. Head Coaching Chair for Brown Varsity Women's Soccer Kia McNeill is scheduled to speak, along with Darian Jenkins, Danita Johnson and Bekah Salwasser, with Renee Washington moderating the panel.
McNeill led Brown to its fourth consecutive Ivy League championship and was named conference coach of the year for the second time. Read feature in The Athletic.
A tribute to Jackie Robinson's barrier-breaking legacy, the panel, featuring players, coaches, journalists, and executives will explore the growing presence of women of color on the US Women's National Team and in the National Women's Soccer League. Through open and transparent dialogue, experts will discuss pay equity, representation in front offices, team ownership roles, and career pathways for girls and young women as players and beyond.
"With Major League Soccer achieving attendance records close to 11 million last year, inclusion promises exceptional opportunities for women of color," said Della Britton, President & CEO of the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Museum. "While leagues and programs have made progress, this conversation will boldly address access issues that prevent diverse communities from engaging as players, executives, and other constituents."
As conversations swirl about the need for diversity in women's soccer, Leveling the Playing Field will acknowledge challenges and discuss solutions that lead to increased representation by groups that have been historically excluded.
For example, financial and other resources required to join club and traveling teams are key impediments to many players' and potential players' ability to participate. Ten years ago, just 24% of Division I women's soccer players were nonwhite. While the player number grew to 34% last season, there is still a substantial need to create opportunities for players from all communities and, as importantly, to pave ways to coaching and front office opportunities as well.
Leveling the Playing Field panelists will discuss pathways to access for those who have not had opportunities to participate by sharing their own unique journeys and strategies for creating a more equitable sport on the field and beyond.
Moderated by Renee Washington, PHLY Sports host, ESPN and NWSL Analyst, "Leveling The Playing Field" includes insight from:
Darian Jenkins:
Broadcast analyst, former NWSL player, and member of the Black Women's Players Collective
Danita Johnson:
President, Business Operations, DC United
Kia McNeill:
Head Coach, Women's Soccer, Brown University
Bekah Salwasser:
Executive Director, Red Sox Foundation & Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Boston Red Sox; former professional soccer player, Boston Breakers
For more information and to reserve your tickets, please visit https://bit.ly/3QFF8OC.
Leveling The Playing Field
Thursday, June 6, 2024 | Public Program: 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Museum (Portrait Gallery)
75 Varick Street (corner of Canal Street)
New York NY 10013
ABOUT THE JACKIE ROBINSON FOUNDATION & MUSEUM
Since 1973, the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) has perpetuated the memory of its namesake by providing generous four-year scholarships and comprehensive support to highly motivated college students with financial need to ensure their success and develop their leadership potential. A new online platform, JRF IMPACT, shares JRF's celebrated "42 Strategies for Success" curriculum with a broader college student population. With the opening in the summer of 2022 of the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City, the Foundation expanded its mission of preserving the Robinson legacy by educating and inspiring the general public about his historic journey and the values that define the life of a hero. Learn more by visiting www.jackierobinson.org and jackierobinsonmuseum.org.
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the lifeblood of the athletics program and exists to enhance the student-athlete experience through philanthropic support from alumni, parents, fans, and friends. A gift through the Sports Foundation immediately impacts today's Brown Bears and helps them to be their best in the classroom, in competition, and most importantly in the community. To learn more about supporting the Bears, please click here.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on Twitter, @BrownU_Bears on Instagram, like BrownUBears on Facebook, and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
McNeill led Brown to its fourth consecutive Ivy League championship and was named conference coach of the year for the second time. Read feature in The Athletic.
A tribute to Jackie Robinson's barrier-breaking legacy, the panel, featuring players, coaches, journalists, and executives will explore the growing presence of women of color on the US Women's National Team and in the National Women's Soccer League. Through open and transparent dialogue, experts will discuss pay equity, representation in front offices, team ownership roles, and career pathways for girls and young women as players and beyond.
"With Major League Soccer achieving attendance records close to 11 million last year, inclusion promises exceptional opportunities for women of color," said Della Britton, President & CEO of the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Museum. "While leagues and programs have made progress, this conversation will boldly address access issues that prevent diverse communities from engaging as players, executives, and other constituents."
As conversations swirl about the need for diversity in women's soccer, Leveling the Playing Field will acknowledge challenges and discuss solutions that lead to increased representation by groups that have been historically excluded.
For example, financial and other resources required to join club and traveling teams are key impediments to many players' and potential players' ability to participate. Ten years ago, just 24% of Division I women's soccer players were nonwhite. While the player number grew to 34% last season, there is still a substantial need to create opportunities for players from all communities and, as importantly, to pave ways to coaching and front office opportunities as well.
Leveling the Playing Field panelists will discuss pathways to access for those who have not had opportunities to participate by sharing their own unique journeys and strategies for creating a more equitable sport on the field and beyond.
Moderated by Renee Washington, PHLY Sports host, ESPN and NWSL Analyst, "Leveling The Playing Field" includes insight from:
Darian Jenkins:
Broadcast analyst, former NWSL player, and member of the Black Women's Players Collective
Danita Johnson:
President, Business Operations, DC United
Kia McNeill:
Head Coach, Women's Soccer, Brown University
Bekah Salwasser:
Executive Director, Red Sox Foundation & Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Boston Red Sox; former professional soccer player, Boston Breakers
For more information and to reserve your tickets, please visit https://bit.ly/3QFF8OC.
Leveling The Playing Field
Thursday, June 6, 2024 | Public Program: 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Museum (Portrait Gallery)
75 Varick Street (corner of Canal Street)
New York NY 10013
ABOUT THE JACKIE ROBINSON FOUNDATION & MUSEUM
Since 1973, the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) has perpetuated the memory of its namesake by providing generous four-year scholarships and comprehensive support to highly motivated college students with financial need to ensure their success and develop their leadership potential. A new online platform, JRF IMPACT, shares JRF's celebrated "42 Strategies for Success" curriculum with a broader college student population. With the opening in the summer of 2022 of the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City, the Foundation expanded its mission of preserving the Robinson legacy by educating and inspiring the general public about his historic journey and the values that define the life of a hero. Learn more by visiting www.jackierobinson.org and jackierobinsonmuseum.org.
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the lifeblood of the athletics program and exists to enhance the student-athlete experience through philanthropic support from alumni, parents, fans, and friends. A gift through the Sports Foundation immediately impacts today's Brown Bears and helps them to be their best in the classroom, in competition, and most importantly in the community. To learn more about supporting the Bears, please click here.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on Twitter, @BrownU_Bears on Instagram, like BrownUBears on Facebook, and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
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