### Celebrating 50 Years of Empowering Women in Sports
#### A Legacy of Impact: The Women’s Sports Foundation
The Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) marked a significant milestone in 2024, celebrating its 50th anniversary with a rich history of impact and advocacy in women’s sports. One powerful story that exemplifies the foundation’s influence is that of Scout Bassett.
#### Scout Bassett: Overcoming Challenges and Inspiring Change
Scout Bassett, a para-athletic track and field champion, faced tremendous adversity from a young age. Losing her right leg as an infant and spending her early years in a Chinese orphanage, Bassett’s journey took a pivotal turn in 2013 when she received a $2,500 travel and training grant from WSF. This opportunity allowed her to compete in the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships, shortly after missing the qualification for the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games. This first competition led to an impressive career, culminating in seven national championships. By 2015, she secured her first endorsement deal with Nike, and in 2016, she achieved her dream of becoming a Paralympian.
#### A Trailblazer for Female Athletes with Disabilities
Today, Bassett holds the world record in the para-athletic 400 meters and the Americas record in the 200 meters. She is currently in the midst of a two-year term as president of the WSF. During her presidency, Bassett collaborated with WSF and Athletes for Impact to establish the Scout Bassett Fund, a program that disperses five grants totaling $40,000 to female athletes with disabilities. Remarkably, three inaugural recipients of this fund qualified for the 2024 Summer Paralympics, with two athletes earning medals.
Reflecting on her journey, Bassett shared, “I never envisioned myself as a leader growing up, mainly due to the lack of representation of Asian women in sports, especially in leadership roles. Fortunately, many at the foundation recognized a path for me that I couldn’t see for myself.”
#### Foundations of Change: Billie Jean King’s Vision
This notion of empowerment resonates deeply with the vision set forth by Billie Jean King, who founded the Women’s Sports Foundation in 1974 with a $5,000 investment. Today, the foundation operates with an annual budget of $10 million and has contributed over $100 million to initiatives aimed at expanding athletic opportunities for girls and women. WSF’s mission is to support and connect female athletes from diverse backgrounds through data-driven advocacy and programs, while also championing the protection of Title IX.
Danette Leighton, WSF’s CEO since 2022, stated, “The monumental movement we witness in women’s sports today is no coincidence. It is a reflection of the tireless efforts of the Women’s Sports Foundation and its 50-year legacy.”
#### Building Stronger Communities
Last year brought a series of celebrations for WSF’s 50th anniversary, including private receptions hosted by influential figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris and Muse Capital partner Assia Grazioli-Venier. These gatherings highlighted the strong sense of community within WSF, regarded as an essential networking platform that often leads to impactful collaborations across various sports.
Angela Ruggiero, WSF president from 2013 to 2014, remarked, “Not every challenge is unique. While not every athlete needs to understand, a few key voices from each sport can recognize their worth, inspire one another, and provide support during tough times. The relationships formed here are invaluable.”
#### A Bright Future Ahead
In October, the WSF held its annual celebration in New York City, featuring a notable contribution of $5.5 million from Mark Walter towards an ongoing $55 million capital campaign. Ilana Kloss, a long-serving board member and former chair, was honored with a surprise video tribute for her unwavering dedication during the financial challenges the foundation faced in the 2000s. Stephanie Tolleson, WSF trustee emeritus, emphasized Kloss’s behind-the-scenes impact, saying, “She is a powerhouse who absolutely deserves recognition.”
Leighton expressed immense pride in the WSF’s 2024 initiatives, including two research studies, “Thriving Through Sport” and “Play to Lead,” which revealed the positive effects of athletic participation on women’s mental health and leadership skills.
However, she emphasized that substantial work remains. The WSF is focused on examining the evolving landscape of college sports, fostering participation at the high school level, and continuing to support programs like the Sports 4 Life grant initiative for athletes of color and the Tara VanDerveer fund aimed at empowering female coaches.
Leighton concluded, “Our comprehensive approach acknowledges that it all begins at the youth level, progresses through high school and college, and eventually leads to elite competition, where the business aspect is gaining significant momentum.”
