In April 2023, the Center for the Philosophy of Freedom’s Public Discussion Forum series hosted a panel of literal superstars for “Women’s Equity in Sports: the Fight, the Scars, and the Thrill of Victory”. Featuring Coach Adia Barnes, Kathryn Bertine, AJ Mlescko, Sarah Spain, and Katherine Switzer, and moderated by Damien Alameda, they delivered an event to remember! Through raw and powerful stories mingled with humor and inspiration, their call to action was unmistakable. We’ve come a long way but still have a long way to go to achieve women’s equity in sports and society.
The video of the entire panel is available here. A shortened, sizzle video is available here.
In July 2021, moving to U of A to join the Center for the Philosophy of Freedom, I knew I wanted to create a public facing series that would address significant societal issues of general interest. With Saura Masconale, the Public Discussion Forum series was created. Studying gender equity and solutions for closing the gender wage gap, I knew we should have a panel feature issues around women’s equity. I learned of Kathryn Bertine’s story from attending a UA Alumni event. After hearing of the inequities in cycling, it was obvious women’s equity in sports should be one of the panels. I reached out to Kathryn and she was incredibly enthusiastic about working together to bring the panel to life. Thanks to the incredible women who agreed to come speak, taking time from their impossibly busy schedules. Thanks to the American Association of University Women, Tucson Branch for co-sponsoring the event. And thanks to everyone who came to the Fox Theater!
You can see the story written by Arizona Daily Star sportswriter PJ Brown here. The feature story highlighted the importance of women’s equity in sports and introduced the badass panelists. Joining Kathryn Bertine were Coach Adia Barnes who has built Arizona Women’s Basketball into a fixture on the national stage of college basketball while developing her own legacy as one of the top coaches in the sport, Olympic hockey gold medalist and NHL broadcaster AJ Mleczko, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning ESPN sports journalist Sarah Spain and co-owner of the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League, Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially register and run the Boston Marathon, and moderator and Emmy and Associated Press Award-winning journalist, KOLD News 13 Sports Director Damien Alameda. The piece also detailed the history of the Public Discussion Forum series, created by me and Saura.
Recapping the panel, Arizona Daily Star sportswriter Bruce Pascoe here highlighted key points that emerged during the panel discussion, including progress made and areas where more action is required. Each of the panelists shared personal stories of their experiences. In addition, they addressed the positives and negatives of social media and exposed flawed economic arguments that have stifled more rapid growth of women’s sports.