The SheBelieves Summit is U.S. Soccer’s premier leadership platform, bringing together influential voices across sports, business, media and culture to inspire and drive the next generation of women leaders. This is their eighth annual summit presented by Deloitte which took place in our own city of Seattle. 

The speaker line up was absolutely incredible including: U.S. women’s soccer coach Emma Hayes; philanthropist and founder of Pivotal Melinda French Gates; forward for the U.S. Women’s national team Ally Sentnor; as well as headline conversation between United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) alum Julie Foudy and two-time Olympic Gold medalist and 10-time World Champion Hilary Knight, and more! 

The event gave chances for the 650 people who attended to connect and network with people in the industry as they each received badges with their names on it and occupation. As well as provided snacks and drinks during the seven-hour event. The attendees also received their own tote bags designed by Domo Wells, who was also on the speakers list.

The start of the summit began by highlighting the topic of why people wonder what women are doing in a man dominated area such as sports. Women athletes and leaders are constantly showing that they belong here and will continue to build their own empire of success. 

Women’s sports push society in numerous ways. Emma Hayes shared how it was very difficult growing up in London as a woman who loved watching sports. She had no sort of female role models or even representation of herself on the field. The only person she could think of at the time was Steffi Graf (the acclaimed former professional German tennis player.) 

In her interview Hayes said, “In the terms of the world of football and soccer, it simply did not exist. I couldn’t even dream of it nor see it.” She grew up wanting to help change that.

The “99ers” are the USWNT that had destroyed China in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1999, where they won the golden ball, and was the year that Hayes had felt seen for the first time as a girl in soccer. It was the first time outside of the U.S. that there was opportunity for women out there. 

Hayes stated that this game shaped her in a way, and helped her believe to have confidence where she could trail and fail, yet still be able to make an impact as a woman. Her father believed that she would reshape the world’s perspective of women in sports and stated that he was always her biggest supporter, even when society thought differently.

Women’s health was also discussed, like the difference of a player’s performance while being on their menstrual period, or even how the medical system has failed women numerous times.

Society often sees the woman’s body as an afterthought but in fact there are many conditions that affect women differently than men. Melinda French Gates believes that there should be more talk on the topic, that there simply isn’t enough research or knowledge being brought to the table to be able to support women and their health issues. Without any knowledge of what women need, it’s hard to be there as a player as well. 

Soon after that they jump into speaking about Title IX, which is a landmark 1972 federal civil rights law. Title IX gives women athletes the right to equal opportunity in sports in educational institutions that receive federal funds – from elementary schools to colleges and universities. It even protects students from sexual harassment, sexual violence, and pregnancy discrimination. 

Ally Sentnor expressed that we as a community need to invest in young girls pursuing sports, not just in the clubs they play in, but in the young girls themselves and their dreams. 1.3 million teenage girls in some regions drop out of sports, often due to the lack of coaching, not understanding a female player, body image, and that border of not being able to communicate with a male coach. 

It starts with supporting and being present for them rather than dismissing their start. 

“Don’t eliminate yourself before someone else does,” were the inspirational words of Dr. Colleen Hacker, that stuck with the crowd as they clapped and cheered. These words were to encourage young female players and to keep fighting for their dreams. 

The unlock cultural capital conversation spoke on businesses being run by girl bosses, such as Rough and Tumble – the first bar in the world to broadcast only women’s sports (and fun fact: it originated in Seattle!)

Owner and founder Jen Barnes spoke on how important it is to broadcast women’s sports because every bar seemed to broadcast the men’s games. The ladies never had a safe space to go to support their teams, which was unfair because in Jen’s eyes they are meant to be watched with a community, not alone. 

In the end, the summit’s mission is to educate their listeners and share their experiences of being women in this world where society defines us. 

Women have been growing in power in sports as they break records and win gold medals not only on the field but in their community as well. Women deserve to run the world as much as men do, as well as show young girls that they can as well – they can do anything, as long as SheBelieves.