Women have come a long way in the sports industry with Title IX, equal pay, and equal investing opportunities in the sports, but it’s important to look at the women who pioneered these impactful changes. While some of the major alterations were made before these athletes stepped onto the stage, players such as Abby Wambach and Diana Flores have been playing a big role in the journey towards equality in women’s and men’s sports for the past couple of years.
Six time United States soccer female athlete of the year, FIFA women’s player of the year, top all-time goal scorer of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), two time Olympic gold medalist, and four time World Cup champion, Abby Wambach has been an advocate for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice and has used her platform as a means of speaking her truth and protesting against inequality and promoting justice. Wambach has also been open about her struggles with depression and her addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol .
Diana Flores is the star quarterback for Mexico’s women’s national flag football team. She was a 2022 World Games champion, the AFC offensive coordinator alongside Peyton Manning for the 2023 Pro Bowl, the chair of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), was named Global Flag Football Ambassador by the NFL, and has won four national titles.
These women have both made an impact on their community as well as the world, inspiring young female athletes to take a stand. “As someone that plays soccer and flag football, it is so inspiring to see women make a name for themselves and inspire younger girls like myself through their accomplishments,” said Alana Moore ‘25.
After winning the ESPYS icon award in 2016 alongside NFL superstar Peyton Manning and NBA legend Kobe Bryant, Wambach finally believed that women had made it. Women were finally equal. However, after walking off that stage she had an interesting thought, “I realized the different retirements the three of us were walking into and we can all understand why and what that difference is: huge bank accounts,” leveled Wambach.
“To me, Abby paints a huge message to not only all female soccer players, but also females in any sport, that we have what it takes to make it to the big leagues” stated Emma Guido ‘25.
Wambach has been a “role model” to not only the soccer community, but the world for years to come. One way she has done this is by being a spokesperson for equal pay and equal opportunity. “What we need to talk about more is the aggregate and compounding effects of the pay gap on women’s lives. Over time, the pay gap means women are able to invest less and save less so they have to work longer. When we talk about what the pay gap costs us, let’s be clear: It costs us our very lives,” said Wambach.
Wambach has partnered with brands such as Secret Deodorant for commercials. The Secret Deodorant commercial described how you shouldn’t have to “sweat” your identity. Doing so highlighted her agenda in regards to speaking out against women’s societal norms of being nurturing and feminine rather than fierce and competitive and not being able to stand out. The USWNT soccer player has become a spokesperson and advocate for these topics. During her 2018 commencement address at Barnard College, she was inspired to write her book “Wolfpack” as a guide for women.
Flores has also spoken about equality in women’s sports through various commercials. One of the commercials took place during Super Bowl LVII and shined a spotlight on flag football. The jersey she wore and the football she ran with were both signed by world star tennis player and social activist, Billie Jean King. Both items became artifacts in the pro football hall of fame making Flores become the first flag football player to have artifacts in the hall of fame.
“I think Abby significantly played a huge role in inspiring young female athletes into believing in themselves, proving through her successful career that women are just as successful as men in male dominated sports,” declared Guido.
Moore also described how both women have sent a powerful message to young girls about being fearless in their sports and not comparing their strengths to men. Both athletes have been a powerful influence to the world around them throughout their careers, working to break down barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination for the upcoming female generations.
