The glitz, glam and on-the-go appeal of the lives of professional athletes appeals to many. For the past decade, an organization that champions the women in this arena has been using their influence to support those often unseen, underserved or underrepresented. This fall, the WIPS, Women Inside Professional Sports organization will celebrate 10 years of service as they look ahead to what is next with a can’t-miss weekend of events that will honor several trailblazers for the gems they are.
In recent years, much conversation has been had about equality that is still very much needed in sports, particularly in the pay gaps between men and women professional athletes. Much like the pressures specific to women, which were illuminated by the pandemic, there have always been additional demands on women in the sports realm. Not only athletes, but the wives, mothers, and daughters of some of the most visible pros balance a great deal, often in solitude.
That was part of the reason behind creating a space to specifically support women in and around professional sports. These Women Inside Professional Sports, or WIPS as they are endearingly nicknamed, have developed a powerful network and impactful community. SpeakEnglish5 Sports Communication Group Inc., founded by Jazette Lane-English & AJe’ English-Wynn, created the network where women athletes and women who support professional athletes and their families could find support for their unique challenges and come together to support community initiatives that have been mentoring the next generation of women leaders; rallying around women in sports in times of need; and encouraging equity, inclusion and high esteem in children. “We are asked to give a lot of ourselves…to backburner our own aspirations and accomplishments. We are putting our own oxygen masks on first now to be an even greater resource for ourselves, each other, our families, and our communities,” shares Lane-English.
The 10 Year Anniversary events will continue in that vein of community with a day of service and in celebration with a day of honors and fundraising. The honorees are impressive and speak to an exciting three days to come. The guest list is filling up already. Keisha Nix, the history-making first Black woman Vice President in the Lakers organization is one of the WIPS being honored. To keep in step with making history, the first woman athlete to own her own shoe company, Santia Deck, will also be among the honorees. Respected sports reporter Allie LaForce, who also leads a charitable organization that is a member of the Athletes And Causes Foundation, and meaningful groups like Off The Field, an organization for NFL Wives, will also be recognized. Trailblazers like Melissa Harville-Lebron, the first African American and woman to solely own a NASCAR team, are also being honored. More honorees will be announced soon as the team of ladies planning this momentous event hopes to create excitement from now leading all the way up to the Kick-off event . . . a cocktail reception on October 27th, 2022.
Notably, civic-social activist Marcia Dyson is among the group of powerhouse women helping to plan the 10 year anniversary festivities. Dyson is serving as an Executive Co-Chair – lending her international imprint to the cause. “Listening to the WIPS ladies share their stories and strength has really inspired me. It’s truly enriching to be surrounded by dynamic female leaders who are steadfast in their commitments to fortifying women inside professional sports and creating spaces to demonstrate equity, inclusion, and high esteem for children,” says Joumana Kidd, also an Executive Co-Chair and Anniversary Planning Committee member. Philanthropist & Journalist, Kidd has covered everything from the Olympics to the Oscars. Like Kidd, the women behind this event can certainly attest to the necessity of a group like WIPS and the work they are leading. Cynthia Cureton-Robles, COO of the exciting women-owned athletic footwear brand TRONUS, echoes the importance of support and showing up in big ways in order to make big waves of change. “Women support a lot of the leading people & projects in sports, business, and community. Making sure that we do our best to support the women doing this work – often in the shadows – is a smart move for everyone. We’re honored to partner with WIPS for this event and help raise funds for their continued positive impact,” says Cureton-Robles.
The theme of the WIPS 10-Year Anniversary weekend is “Diamonds In Sports“.
Events will be held on October 27th, 28th, and 29th of 2022 in New York City.
For more information and tickets, contact:
info@se5wips.com
Website:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-10th-anniversary-diamonds-in-sports-tickets-323303538587
ABOUT WIPS
SpeakEnglish5, Sports Communication Group, Inc. has a richly diverse network of WIPS – Women Inside Professional Sports – who work as a collective to fortify each other and empower a global community. Their network is composed of people from all walks of life and includes everyone they serve, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexuality, or disability. Through their connections to professional sports, they find and highlight commonalities while appreciating the differences and uniqueness that each individual contributes. Their network, though intentionally diverse, directly targets supporting marginalized Black and Brown communities while equally embracing anyone who wants to participate in providing equity through opportunity. Utilizing professional sports as their vehicle, they strive to bridge identified gaps and drive progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 10 (SDG 10).
SOURCE: WIPS (Women Inside Professional Sports)
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