Play Like a Girl

Photo by Jay Ruzicka

You play ball like a girl! You throw like a girl! “Women’s sports are boring.”

For years, phrases like these echoed through playgrounds, gym classes, and stadiums, reinforcing the idea that women athletes could never compete at the same level as men. Countless little girls grew up hearing these comments used as insults — as if being compared to a female athlete was something to be ashamed of. But somewhere along the way, “playing like a girl” stopped sounding like an insult.

In 1999, Serena Williams won her first Grand Slam singles title while Mia Hamm won her second World Cup, setting the stage for millions of female athletes to follow in their footsteps. Today, we have Simone Biles, Caitlin Clark, and Casey O'Brien making their mark in their respective sports.

But beyond the achievements, accolades, and championships, seeing female athletes succeed at the highest level sends young girls a powerful message: you can take up space, speak loudly, compete fiercely, and believe in yourself. Sports help girls build confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging — lessons they carry off the court, out of the gym, and into the real world. After watching the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team win gold in the 2026 Winter Olympics, my own daughter — like many girls around the country — was inspired to lace up her skates and learn to play. Sports teach girls it’s okay to place themselves at the center of a typically male-dominated sport and know they belong there. It gives every girl the chance to stand tall and proudly “play like a girl.”

Written by Jacqueline Bono