Introduction to Visionary Women

Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization, Visionary Women, marked its 10th anniversary with a vibrant summit that brought together influential figures committed to the enhancement and empowerment of women and girls. The event showcased the organization’s decade-long commitment to social impact, during which it has awarded over $4.2 million to approximately 280 nonprofits focusing on women’s rights and empowerment.

A Celebration of Achievements

Among the highlights of the summit were the commendations for notable philanthropists Bridget Gless Keller and Carolyn Clark Powers, who have significantly contributed to women’s causes. The morning commenced with an inspiring performance from the all-female Raise Choir, setting a tone of positivity and empowerment.

Recognitions and Awards

Reshma Saujani, the CEO of Moms First and founder of Girls Who Code, was honored with the Visionary Prize for Women’s Economic Empowerment, which included a $100,000 grant for her organization. In her acceptance speech, she urged attendees to think about small, effective actions to bridge the gap between talented women and available opportunities:

“So here’s my challenge for you today. I want you to think small but mighty. So before you leave here today, I want you to pick one thing, one concrete thing that you can do to close the distance between a woman’s talent and her opportunity.”
– Reshma Saujani

Furthermore, soccer star Alex Morgan received the Changemaker Award, emphasizing her dedication to promoting pay equity in sports.

Panel Discussions: Breaking Barriers

The summit featured a panel discussion titled “Breaking Barriers: Female Owners Changing the Game,” moderated by sports figure Candace Parker. The panel included prominent leaders such as:

• Willow Bay, owner of Angel City FC
• Jeanie Buss, governor and co-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers
• Charlotte Jones, chief brand officer and co-owner of the Dallas Cowboys
• Lauren Leichtman, owner of San Diego Wave FC

Parker reflected on her past experiences in women’s sports and the ongoing challenges faced by female athletes:

“I’m just trying to be a woman in sports that has a different point of view. I think all of us can relate to the barriers that we face entering women’s sports.”
– Candace Parker

Reflections on Gender Equity in Sports

The panelists addressed the misconceptions surrounding women’s sports. Bay emphasized the necessity for today’s generation of women to confront outdated perceptions, while Buss spoke about her journey as the first female governor in the NBA and the challenges of building relationships in a male-dominated league.

“Women belong in sports, in business, women’s sports, men’s sports.”
– Jeanie Buss

Jones passionately advocated for the importance of female representation in all levels of sports, highlighting that nearly half of the fan base in their business is female:

“If you do not have a female voice at the table, how are you going to reach half of your business?”
– Charlotte Jones

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The summit concluded with a shared vision of a future where gender does not define the value of sports, but rather the talent and commitment of individuals. Buss referred to the legacy of Billie Jean King, underscoring the continual need to defend initiatives like Title IX to ensure equality in sports:

“I have invested in creating opportunities for women in sports… We just need to continue to invest in youth female sports, keep the women participating.”
– Jeanie Buss