Why We Need to Keep Talking About Women in Sports
I recently listened to Glennon Doyle’s podcast featuring ESPN journalist Sarah Spain, where they spoke candidly about the constant inequities and indignities women face in male-dominated fields. They shared raw, unfiltered stories of harassment and discrimination—stories that, to my surprise, sounded just like mine.
Hearing their experiences wasn’t just validating—it was healing. I didn’t feel so alone. Their words turned my own quiet frustrations into something clearer and more powerful. They shone a light on issues we all need to be more honest about, giving us the chance to create real change.
Why Honesty is the Missing Piece
The unvarnished truth about what it’s like to be a woman in sports and business is exactly what’s missing today. In a world consumed by clickbait, fake news, trolls, and cancel culture, too many people are afraid to speak up. And as a result, the cycle continues:
Those enabling sexism in sports face no accountability
Those who want to stand up are silenced by fear
Those who do speak out—often women—are labeled “difficult” or worse
The narrative persists, and very little changes
Look at the reaction to Golf Digest comparing Rose Zhang’s record to Tiger Woods. Instead of recognizing her brilliance, the comments focused on her playing from the “ladies’ tees,” as if that somehow diminished her achievements.
Or the fact that Annika Sörenstam’s dominance in the 2000s often goes unrecognized, despite having a higher career-winning percentage than Tiger Woods. She won 23.5% of her LPGA Tour starts (72 wins in 307 events), compared to Woods' 22.3% (82 wins in 368 PGA Tour events during the 2000s). Yet, her achievements rarely receive the same level of recognition.
Or the fact that not a single woman made Sportico’s Top 100 Highest-Paid Athletes list. Coco Gauff, last year’s highest-paid female athlete, earned $30.4 million—yet that was still $7 million less than the 100th-ranked athlete, NFL quarterback Daniel Jones, who spent most of the season on the bench.
Or consider my 9-year-old student, who was told by two grown men that “girls don’t belong on a golf course.”
These aren’t isolated incidents. They are everyday examples of the unconscious bias that still exists in golf, sport and beyond. And they matter.
Speaking Up is an Action in Itself
Change has never happened without people willing to stand up for what’s right:
Journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey risked everything to expose Harvey Weinstein
Tarana Burke started the #MeToo movement, giving women a voice and a platform to stand in their truth
The Canadian Women’s Soccer Team fought back against the pay gap
Rachael Denhollander took on USA Gymnastics and Larry Nassar, empowering 265+ women to come forward
Progress happens when people have the courage to speak up and challenge the status quo. It cannot rest solely on the shoulders of marginalized groups to push for change. If we want to reshape the narrative around girls and women in sports, it requires more than just their voices—it demands that men in the room stand up, call out inequities, and be active allies in the fight for fairness. Real change happens when everyone takes responsibility.
Empowering the Next Generation
If we’re truly honest about the state of golf, we can equip young girls with the tools they need to navigate it. I refuse to send the next generation of women into this sport unaware of the challenges they may face. Instead, I want them to come into this sport with confidence—knowing their worth, understanding their value, setting boundaries, claiming their autonomy, and, most importantly, recognizing how to respond when they encounter bias or discrimination. Empowerment starts with awareness, and change starts with action.
These conversations aren’t about making people uncomfortable, instead they’re about making the sport better. For everyone.
We’ve come a long way, but there’s still so much work to do, but I’m grateful for those pushing forward. And I hope more people—men and women—find the courage to speak up when they see something that isn’t right.
Because the only way to create change is to keep talking about it.