I LOOKED BACK AT WHERE my whole journey started and the words Title IX kept popping into my head. It’s the movement that helped progress women’s sport. And it’s one that opened the door for me to pursue my dream.
As a young girl, I wrote a report about sports and had to interview my one living grandmother, on my mom’s side. I learned that she couldn’t participate in some sports, which were considered too grueling for girls. In some instances, they didn’t even offer girls sports.
Now, as an athlete, it’s hard to fathom the idea of not being introduced to sports, let alone allowed to play, or that sports weren’t offered because of your sex. My grandmother eventually picked up tennis and, along with my grandfather, had three children, who all picked up a racket and competed in that sport.
The tennis gene would carry on through that side of the family and unfortunately or fortunately, I was the only one not to play. My grandmother was always worried about my choices of soccer (it was too rough) and volleyball (too hard on the body), but most of all she questioned how I would make a living playing those other sports.
Fast forward to 2000, though, and there I was making such a living. My first sponsorship and prize money allowed for my first significant investment—a house in Long Beach, California. It’s too bad she never saw this happen, but I know she is so proud and looks down on me daily along with my late mom.
How times had changed. Title IX allowed for that investment and afforded me opportunities some women in my family never had.
A Family Affair
This story is from the July 01 - 08, 2022 (Double Issue) edition of Newsweek Europe.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 01 - 08, 2022 (Double Issue) edition of Newsweek Europe.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ray Romano
THE MAJOR THING ABOUT NETFLIX'S NO GOOD DEED THAT APPEALED TO Ray Romano was that it was unlike anything he'd done before.
Has J.K. Rowling Won the Culture War?
After years of backlash over trans issues, the Harry Potter author has received major business backing
'This Murder Is a Symbol of the Times'
Conservatives and liberals agree on the state of the health care industry following the killing of Brian Thompson
The Defense Industry's Fight With ESG
EUROPEAN DEFENSE COMPANIES, ESPECIALLY smaller businesses, are being blocked from investment they sorely need by sustainability rules, a senior NATO official and several industry figures have said.
Nothin' Lasts Forever
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour' ends its record-breaking run..
SPY IN THE SKY
CHINA FACES ACCUSATIONS of ESPIONAGE and WEAPONIZING OUTER SPACE as it BUILDS a NEW OBSERVATORY in CHILE critics say WILL BE USED for MILITARY PURPOSES
Margo Martindale
\"WHO KNEW THAT A BARREL OF MAPLE SYRUP IS WORTH MORE THAN A barrel of oil?\"
Malala Yousafzai
\"AFGHANISTAN IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE world where girls are banned from access to education and women are limited from work.\"
In the Eyes of the Law
Jude Law is unrecognizable as an FBI agent on the trail of aneo-Naziterrorist group in real-crime drama The Order
AMERICA'S Most Responsible Companies 2025
IN THE FACE OF ISSUES LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE and wage inequality, consumers care about the impact of the businesses they interact with and companies are responding.