One year ago tonight, my high school recognized the women who played on the first girls’ sports teams in the 1970s. Over one third of the 150 who played reunited to share stories and think about the contributions they made. As a reminder of how far we’ve come, enjoy the story I wrote to honor these women, while I take a personal timeout.

Without prescribed tasks, I can choose how I’ll spend my writing time in 2023

Check out these two organizations to learn about current issues and efforts in girls’ and women’s sports.

Why every girl who plays sports in Illinois should know her name

A few years on the court provided a lifetime of memories for these 12 women and thousands more, thanks to Title IX.

Girls have always wanted play basketball—and for more than 80 years people tried to stop them.

Thanks to Bernice Sandler and all the women who fought for our rights, girls today can aspire to professions their grandmothers could not.

Title IX is about opportunity and respect. Its 37 words are about opening doors and providing protection. For everyone.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX this year—specifically on June 23, 2022, many thanks are due to the coaches and administrators who faced steep challenges to get girls’ and women’s programs off the ground.

Growing expectations of the job and competition from club sports makes finding high school coaches a challenge for athletic directors.

Title IX gave us the chance to play the game of basketball. More importantly, it gave us new opportunities to learn about ourselves.

Billie Jean King knew from a young age if she became a great player, she could influence changes to the sport she loved. She did that and a whole lot more—because she was all in.

Before the WNBA, and before the NCAA included women’s sports, Lusia Harris made women’s basketball history.

When people tell us what we hope to hear, it is on us to be sure what they offer is in our—or our child’s—best interest.

Title IX gave more girls and women the opportunity to play sports. So why did it have the opposite effect on coaching opportunities for women?

Thanks to Title IX a girls’ basketball team was formed just as I started high school. And while I got to play, seeing a female athlete on television was a rare opportunity. Seeing one in person was nearly impossible. It’s time to thank the one I did.

For 35 years the Women’s Sports Foundation has sponsored National Girls and Women in Sports Day. This year you can join virtual events being held across the country.

For some of us, the pandemic pause on full schedules has been a chance to slow down and make different choices—from what we eat and what we wear to how we spend our precious free time. It’s also the perfect time to tune into our kids’ true interests and rethink the activities they’ll return to.

Today I launch Lessons from the driveway, where I will share lessons I learned as a coach’s daughter, player, coach’s wife and sports parent. I hope you will join me for lessons and observations about the evolution of youth sports, injuries and opportunities for girls and women.