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A Boomer’s Journal: Gender Equality
U.S. Women’s Soccer Team
Proves Gender Equality
With Strength and Style
by Tom Anselm
Remember a while back when I figured out that I was indeed a feminist? I made the clear distinction that this revelation had nothing to do with the prevailing negative image of a feminist: a railing, outrageous, strident citizen, marching for who-knows-what cause, who favors abortion on demand and other such notions.
In fact, I know of many strong women who stand foursquare for women’s rights without acting out in such a manner or adhering to that last issue. My brand of feminism, I hoped to convey, was more in line with recognizing and upholding the innate dignity that should be conferred to all women, with all the opportunity that they deserve, including wage equity.
And so a recent event that Jill and I attended with three of our soccer-crazy granddaughters brings this all to mind once more. The occasion was a soccer game at Busch Stadium featuring the United States Women’s National Team, better known as the USWNT. We all watched, in near-awe, at the skill, stamina and sheer athleticism of these women. Let me offer a disclaimer here.
At the international level, I far prefer watching the US women’s team play. Although many other nations teams are slowly but surely catching up to our ladies, they have been the gold standard of the game for many years now. And I mean that literally, with three World Cup Championships and four Olympic Gold Medals since 1991.
They do it with strength and style in equal measure, and play the game rather than try to cripple the opposition, unlike the men’s style. But don’t get me wrong here… they are as determined and tough and fit as any man, showing a tenacity and verve that has made them the top team in the world for many years. Theirs is a more pure game, and this is what I love about them. But here is the rub.
The USWNT has seen fit to file a class action lawsuit against the governing body of the sport in our country, the United Soccer Federation of America regarding gender equity.showing a tenacity and verve that has made them the top team in the world for many years. Theirs is a more pure game, and this is what I love about them. But here is the rub.
The USWNT has seen fit to file a class action lawsuit against the governing body of the sport in our country, the United Soccer Federation of America regarding gender equity. Foremost in this lawsuit is the fact that the men’s national soccer team makes at least three times the pay that the women’s team earns, despite having drastically less success on the international stage. Inequity? Mild word for such discrepancy. So back to the game the other night. The crowd was almost 36,000, third largest stand-alone attendance in USWNT history. It was beastly hot. The home team dominated, winning 5-nil as they say in the sport. The display of talent was incredible. All in a warm-up (no pun intended) for the 2019 World Cup in France starting in a few weeks. And after the match, several of the US players found the time to meet with fans along the rails, signing autographs, taking the inevitable selfie’s . . . giving back to their admirers. Emma had her canvas shoe signed by two stars. Ella and Abby saw their wildest dreams fulfilled being just feet away from current superstar Alex Morgan, and, taking the selfie of all selfies, all showing dazzling smiles. Over the moon, they were! So thank you, United States Women’s National Team. Thanks for your example of dedication and skill to girls and women of our nation. Keep up the great fight to get equal pay for your superior performance on and off the field. And as we head into this summer of World Cup soccer on the Dream Fields of France, I have this to say: Go USA! Go USA! Go USA Women’s Team! In the courts, and on the pitch.
