Women's sports is full of incredible athletes with stories that often go untold. To spread awareness of them and upcoming women's sports events, my Instagram channel pairs illustrated athlete portraits with short-form profiles. Below is a collection of my favourites.
International Women's Day 2020: Gamechangers Series
GAMECHANGER 3 of 3: NNEKA OGWUMIKE
Ending Edition 1 of the series with the woman who has the blueprint. Chosen by the WNBA’s 144 players as the president of their Players Association, Nneka Ogwumike was instrumental in negotiating the W’s new landmark collective bargaining agreement. Aside from a dramatic pay increase, it also features travel upgrades, progressive family planning/maternity benefits and additional business opportunities for players.
In essence, it signals the league’s commitment to treating athletes as true professionals. Already lauded by other sports leagues, the WNBA has provided the master plan for what every women’s professional league should strive to have– not just basketball.
Ogwumike and the WNBA are sending a simple message: Invest in women. Bet on women. A future where female athletes are valued for their work is fast approaching and it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world follows suit.
Ending Edition 1 of the series with the woman who has the blueprint. Chosen by the WNBA’s 144 players as the president of their Players Association, Nneka Ogwumike was instrumental in negotiating the W’s new landmark collective bargaining agreement. Aside from a dramatic pay increase, it also features travel upgrades, progressive family planning/maternity benefits and additional business opportunities for players.
In essence, it signals the league’s commitment to treating athletes as true professionals. Already lauded by other sports leagues, the WNBA has provided the master plan for what every women’s professional league should strive to have– not just basketball.
Ogwumike and the WNBA are sending a simple message: Invest in women. Bet on women. A future where female athletes are valued for their work is fast approaching and it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world follows suit.
GAMECHANGER 2 of 3: MEGAN RAPINOE
“You are not lesser just because you are a girl. You are not greater just because you are a boy.”
- M. Rapinoe
A statement so simple that is still proving to be difficult for the world to accept. The US Women’s National Team legal battle is about so much more than just “equal pay”. It is about setting the example for every team– and every woman– to not accept the way things are because someone says so, but to fight for how it should be. So for that, we applaud you, stand with you and thank you for leading the way.
Olympic Gold medalist. Back-to-back World Champion. But most importantly: a woman who stands up for what she believes in and will never back down.
Megan Rapinoe: Game. Changer.
“You are not lesser just because you are a girl. You are not greater just because you are a boy.”
- M. Rapinoe
A statement so simple that is still proving to be difficult for the world to accept. The US Women’s National Team legal battle is about so much more than just “equal pay”. It is about setting the example for every team– and every woman– to not accept the way things are because someone says so, but to fight for how it should be. So for that, we applaud you, stand with you and thank you for leading the way.
Olympic Gold medalist. Back-to-back World Champion. But most importantly: a woman who stands up for what she believes in and will never back down.
Megan Rapinoe: Game. Changer.
GAMECHANGER 1 of 3: ESTEFANIA BANINI
The talented #10 Argentine turned heads at the 2019 Women's World Cup when she captained her country to their first-ever points on the world stage. Pundits lauded the team's heroic performance... however, when the world stopped watching Banini and five teammates were quietly dropped from the squad following the World Cup. The reason, reported by Equalizer Soccer, had nothing to do with injuries– it was a reprimand from the coach and federation in response to the players demanding better resources. Unlike perennial performers at World Cups, Argentine players often pay out-of-pocket for training and the team is ill-equipped by AFA to succeed.
In a country that worships (men’s) football, this is not Las Guerreras' first fight with their neglectful federation. Between 2015-17 the team was listed as “inactive” with no scheduled games or coach for 18 months, eventually forcing the players to strike to gain AFA’s attention. In 2018, when they returned to Copa América they competed in used kits from the men’s team. Hope is on the horizon though as women’s sports are becoming increasingly entwined with Argentinian equality movements. Protesters have adopted the team as a figurehead and argue that “football played by women” is no longer an acceptable option. Instead, they want “fútbol feminista”; an equal game with equal support.
For now though, despite consistent club play, eight months after the World Cup Estefanía Banini and five others (Belén Potassa, Ruth Bravo, Gaby Garton, Sole Jaimes and Florencia Bonsegundo) still haven't suited up again for their country.
In a country that worships (men’s) football, this is not Las Guerreras' first fight with their neglectful federation. Between 2015-17 the team was listed as “inactive” with no scheduled games or coach for 18 months, eventually forcing the players to strike to gain AFA’s attention. In 2018, when they returned to Copa América they competed in used kits from the men’s team. Hope is on the horizon though as women’s sports are becoming increasingly entwined with Argentinian equality movements. Protesters have adopted the team as a figurehead and argue that “football played by women” is no longer an acceptable option. Instead, they want “fútbol feminista”; an equal game with equal support.
For now though, despite consistent club play, eight months after the World Cup Estefanía Banini and five others (Belén Potassa, Ruth Bravo, Gaby Garton, Sole Jaimes and Florencia Bonsegundo) still haven't suited up again for their country.
Vivianne Miedema: The Champion (2020)
Vivianne Miedema is a goal-scoring protégé. At only 23 years old, the Dutch International is already the country’s leading goal-scorer (that’s right, her 69 goals are more than Van Persie’s) and is pegged as someone to break the 180+ international record. Arriving at Arsenal in 2017, her prowess in front of the net also translated to club play. Miedema finished last season as the WSL top scorer (22 goals) and was named PFA Player of the Year. She continues to lead the pack this season, which included a 6-goal, 4-assist performance thrashing Bristol City. Can Miedema continue her goal-a-game success rate and propel Arsenal further away from their title challengers?
Vivianne Miedema is a goal-scoring protégé. At only 23 years old, the Dutch International is already the country’s leading goal-scorer (that’s right, her 69 goals are more than Van Persie’s) and is pegged as someone to break the 180+ international record. Arriving at Arsenal in 2017, her prowess in front of the net also translated to club play. Miedema finished last season as the WSL top scorer (22 goals) and was named PFA Player of the Year. She continues to lead the pack this season, which included a 6-goal, 4-assist performance thrashing Bristol City. Can Miedema continue her goal-a-game success rate and propel Arsenal further away from their title challengers?
Sam Kerr: The Challenger (2020)
Sam Kerr exploded onto the women’s professional soccer scene at only 15; despite famously never touching a soccer ball before the age of 12. Hailing from Perth, Australia, Kerr has been splitting her playing time between Australia’s W-League and the USA’s NWSL since 2013. Due to that, and her lethal instinct around goal, Sam Kerr simultaneously holds the record for most career goals in both– 69 W-League goals and 77 NWSL ones. After winning every possible personal accolade in both leagues (a combined 5 consecutive golden boots and 2 MVP awards) Kerr arrived at Chelsea for a reported $1 million– a landmark signing in the women’s game. She’s in the hunt for championship trophies; can she open her FA WSL goal-scoring account today and lift Chelsea past their title competition?
Sam Kerr exploded onto the women’s professional soccer scene at only 15; despite famously never touching a soccer ball before the age of 12. Hailing from Perth, Australia, Kerr has been splitting her playing time between Australia’s W-League and the USA’s NWSL since 2013. Due to that, and her lethal instinct around goal, Sam Kerr simultaneously holds the record for most career goals in both– 69 W-League goals and 77 NWSL ones. After winning every possible personal accolade in both leagues (a combined 5 consecutive golden boots and 2 MVP awards) Kerr arrived at Chelsea for a reported $1 million– a landmark signing in the women’s game. She’s in the hunt for championship trophies; can she open her FA WSL goal-scoring account today and lift Chelsea past their title competition?
Hayley Wickenheiser– perhaps the greatest woman to ever don a hockey sweater– had a stellar career spanning 5 Olympics (4 gold) and 13 World Championships (7 wins, or too many jerseys to animate). I could rattle off stats about how she led in practically every metric, but that only tells half the story. As Danielle Goyette, also a hall of famer, puts it: “If you think about women’s hockey, you think of Wick and that’s a name that’s known around the world - not just in Canada.”
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In a career where she was absolutely dominant, it was her selfless commitment to raising the profile of women’s hockey that I found the most inspiring. Instead of happily accepting Canada’s spot in every gold medal game, she sought to make her competitors BETTER too; since 2010, she has hosted an annual tournament for girls’ teams around the world in the hopes that one day it won’t just be Canada/USA on top of the podium. So cheers to an incredible playing career, Wick. We can’t wait to see where you go next. 🍻
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In a career where she was absolutely dominant, it was her selfless commitment to raising the profile of women’s hockey that I found the most inspiring. Instead of happily accepting Canada’s spot in every gold medal game, she sought to make her competitors BETTER too; since 2010, she has hosted an annual tournament for girls’ teams around the world in the hopes that one day it won’t just be Canada/USA on top of the podium. So cheers to an incredible playing career, Wick. We can’t wait to see where you go next. 🍻
Jess Fishlock– perhaps one of the game's most underrated central midfielders has been a mainstay of the Reign since season one. Both on and off the pitch, Fishlock champions LGBTQ+ inclusion, and in 2018 earned an MBE (Order of the British Empire) for her "services to football and the LGBT community" 🏳️🌈
She's lifted championship trophies in 6 different countries (including the Champion's League trophy last season with Olympique Lyonnais) – can she finally add America to the list?
She's lifted championship trophies in 6 different countries (including the Champion's League trophy last season with Olympique Lyonnais) – can she finally add America to the list?
Tasha Cloud is a real one. Fresh off of winning the 2019 WNBA championship, the Mystics guard opted to sit out the 2020 season to focus on social justice initiatives. From leading a march in DC to helping Capital One Arena get set up as a polling location, one thing is for sure: Tasha Cloud is bigger than basketball.
Kylie Ohlmiller– From going first overall in the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League draft to a myriad of personal accolades during her college career, Kylie Ohlmiller is a big deal in the lacrosse world. Hailing from Stoney Brook University, the prolific attacker broke all kinds of records en route to leading the Seawolves to their sixth straight title and a no. 1 national ranking. To top off being a world-class athlete of her craft, Kylie has spent 2020 coaching her local girls' team– so look out, class of 2030.
Marie Marvingt: The Coolest Woman You've Probably Never Heard of
Hailing from Nancy, France, Marie Marvingt– AKA the Fiancée of Danger– is the pioneering female athlete for practically everything. From being the first woman to climb the majority of the Alps to the first Frenchwoman to swim the length of the Seine or pilot a balloon, Marvingt was a force to be reckoned with. When she was allowed to compete she won (20 gold medals in various winter sports and was the only woman to win an international military shooting competition), and when she wasn’t allowed she did it anyway. In 1908, when barred from the Tour de France (which still isn’t open to women a century later) she completed the race on her own– a feat only a third of the male entrants accomplished that year. To recognize her jack-of-all-world-class-trades, the French Academy of Sports created and awarded Marie the “gold medal for ALL sports” in 1910. To this day she is the only recipient and posthumously earned herself a place in the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.
If that wasn't impressive enough, Marvingt also fought in both World Wars. Originally disguised as a man on the front lines but quickly found out, she openly served as a surgical nurse and as the world's first WWI female bomber pilot. She is credited as the founder of air ambulance services and dedicated her life to implementing them worldwide. In 1935, she became the first certified Flight Nurse and by 1939 commanded a Flying Ambulance Corps of 500 female flying nurses during WWII. Thanks to Marie Marvingt, we continue to use air ambulances and medical evacuations today.
Despite being missing in most modern-day textbooks, Marie Marvingt was celebrated as a national hero in her lifetime. Numerous institutes and awards across France bear her name, including a plaque commemorating her Nancy home which I specifically took a detour to pay homage to while travelling through the country.
So Hollywood... with so many retellings of the same World War stories, when is her biopic coming?
If that wasn't impressive enough, Marvingt also fought in both World Wars. Originally disguised as a man on the front lines but quickly found out, she openly served as a surgical nurse and as the world's first WWI female bomber pilot. She is credited as the founder of air ambulance services and dedicated her life to implementing them worldwide. In 1935, she became the first certified Flight Nurse and by 1939 commanded a Flying Ambulance Corps of 500 female flying nurses during WWII. Thanks to Marie Marvingt, we continue to use air ambulances and medical evacuations today.
Despite being missing in most modern-day textbooks, Marie Marvingt was celebrated as a national hero in her lifetime. Numerous institutes and awards across France bear her name, including a plaque commemorating her Nancy home which I specifically took a detour to pay homage to while travelling through the country.
So Hollywood... with so many retellings of the same World War stories, when is her biopic coming?
PERNILLE HARDER– Kicking this new project off with Harder, easily one of the best footballers in the game right now (despite what FIFA says). Voted the 2018 UEFA Player of the Year, the Danish and Vfl Wolfsburg captain is a prolific striker who regularly pulls off stunners like THAT. This past season, she finished as the top goal scorer in both the Bundesliga and Champions League – despite playing three fewer games than the finalists. Off the field, Harder is an ambassador for Common Goal and champions LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. ⚽
DEBINHA– Regardless of which team you're rooting for today, Debinha is incredibly fun to watch – albeit with maximum stress if you're on the opposite side. On a North Carolina team laden with attacking talent, Debinha is the creative force behind most of it. Whether she's springing strikers with the perfect pass or scoring wonder goals (like last weekend's semi-final game-winner on her birthday) the Brazilian is one of the best #10s in the league– and will only get more dangerous now that Brazil has a new national team coach 👀. Can she propel her team to a second straight NWSL title?
Christine Sinclair is officially in a class of her own. #ICYMI last week, Sincy scored her 185th international goal to become the most prolific goal scorer of all time– Men. Or. Women.
Without a doubt the greatest soccer player from Canada, she's solidified herself as one of the best to ever play the game. Compared to a Rolls-Royce by a former coach – because “she’s all class” – the Canadian and Portland Thorns captain is the epitome of humility and a “leader-by-example” despite her insane scoring record. Her stats speak for themselves, but her greatest feat might be the legacy she leaves off the field. In the same way that Gretzky or Wickenheiser inspired millions, there isn’t a female soccer player across this country who does not look up to Sinclair.