How Female Athletes Are Pushing for a Level Playing Field

September 7, 2021

A viral video of the makeshift weight rooms at this year's NCAA March Madness tournament, posted by University of Oregon's Sedona Prince, gained national attention for encapsulating the gender disparity that exists between men's and women's sports. The dumbbells -- or lack thereof -- represented a heavy truth for female athletes in the United States. Both the US women's national teams in hockey and soccer have fought for increases in wages and equitable treatment, arguing that the value they bring to global events like the Olympics and world championships isn't being fairly compensated. In 2017, members of the women's hockey team reached a landmark four-year deal with USA Hockey after threatening a boycott.

By Carolyn Manno

A viral video of the makeshift weight rooms at this year’s NCAA March Madness tournament, posted by University of Oregon’s Sedona Prince, gained national attention for encapsulating the gender disparity that exists between men’s and women’s sports.

The dumbbells — or lack thereof — represented a heavy truth for female athletes in the United States.

Both the US women’s national teams in hockey and soccer have fought for increases in wages and equitable treatment, arguing that the value they bring to global events like the Olympics and world championships isn’t being fairly compensated. In 2017, members of the women’s hockey team reached a landmark four-year deal with USA Hockey after threatening a boycott.