Women in Sport: Megan Rapinoe
Megan Rapinoe
There is no way to talk about empowered women in sports and not talk about Rapinoe. The 34-year-old player currently playing at Reign FC is a co-captain for the United States National Women’s Soccer team. In 2019 Rapinoe won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards at the Women’s World Cup in France. She was also named The Best FIFA Women’s Player.
Her expressive numbers and accomplishments still do not impress a patriarchal society. According to an article from the Washington Post, although FIFA doubled the payout for the winning team on the 2019 Women’s World Cup with a $4 million prize, the men’s winner team took $38 million in 2018.
The U.S. National Women’s Team won four World Cups, while the men’s team has struggled to even qualify. The competitive difference between the teams is very expressive. However, that does not reflect on their paychecks. Rapinoe has been one of the biggest voices in the matter.
She works for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network; and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. She is also an ambassador for the Athlete Ally.
Rapinoe’s activism list is long. With the things she has accomplished, she uses her success to encourage and fight for more space in the industry for women like her. Rapinoe is not scared to say what needs to be said, even if that means getting beef with the President. Sports need women like her. Someone that takes the bullets so young girls will not have to.
“We have to be better,” Rapinoe said during a celebration speech. “We have to love more, hate less. We’ve gotta listen more and talk less.”