Charleston Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, along with her colleagues, U.S. Senators Laphonza Butler, Patty Murray, and Maria Cantwell, have introduced a bipartisan resolution designating February 7th as "National Girls & Women in Sports Day." The resolution aims to honor the accomplishments of girls and women in sports and emphasize the need for wider efforts to promote gender equality across the United States.

Senator Capito, who has a personal connection to athletics, stated, "As an athlete myself and the mother of a daughter who played a college sport, I have been a strong supporter of sports and understand the variety of benefits they can have for everyone, especially women. It was an honor to work on this resolution with Sen. Feinstein and I am glad that Sen. Butler has taken up that mantle. I will continue to fight to ensure our female athletes are treated with respect and fairness in competition. Today gives us an opportunity to celebrate all the progress we have made, and to look forward to the work ahead."

Senator Butler, one of the lead sponsors of the resolution, highlighted the importance of recognizing the contributions of women athletes in inspiring the next generation. She said, "This resolution will shine a light on all the women who have helped uplift the next generation of athletes by inspiring them to excel both on and off the field. Let us celebrate the transformative power of sports and its unique ability to instill intuition, conviction, and courage into women and girls across our nation."

This resolution comes at a significant time, with the 2024 Olympics approaching and the recent enactment of Equal Pay for Team USA. It serves as a reminder of the achievements of women athletes and the value they bring to sports and communities. The resolution has garnered support from a diverse group of senators, including Tammy Baldwin, Marsha Blackburn, Catherine Cortez Masto, Katie Britt, Dick Durbin, Susan Collins, Mazie Hirono, Jacky Rosen, and Jeanne Shaheen.

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

This recognition of "National Girls & Women in Sports Day" serves to honor the accomplishments of female athletes and promote gender equality in sports. It is a step towards ensuring that female athletes are treated with respect and fairness in competition. Through this resolution, the transformative power of sports in empowering women and girls is celebrated and acknowledged.