How many of us have a personal history with sports? A good team can create many good memories and teach us important lessons throughout a lifetime.
When I lived in my country El Salvador, the school where I studied had the opportunity to participate in soccer championships with other schools. It was there when I started playing soccer, my teacher made me play in all the potions, defense, striker, midfield, goalkeeper, in short I played everything. I really had a lot of fun, but I also played basketball but we only practiced that sport among the same classmates at school, they did not compete, it was just a fun pastime.
Sports also give us hope for the future. Like me , many parents share enthusiasm for the sports of their children from a very young age. My 3 year old son loves to run and kick the ball. I have memories of taking him to the field to practice being goalie. He gets so excited with any opportunity to join a team on the field for practice. My boyfriend has hopes that my son will continue to find success in soccer. He is only 3 years old but already we are talking about the future that soccer could create for him.
While we all have personal memories and maybe our own hopes and dreams for the future through sports, we also know that sports culture creates strong leaders. One such leader is making a difference for Women’s soccer in Washington D.C. and around the world. Recently, I found out that the Women’s soccer team Washington Spirit , has a new owner who is bringing about positive change.
Michele Kang became the majority owner and new “boss” of the Washington Spirit in February 2022 after the team had problems with verbal and emotional abuse by head coach Richie Burke. Kang represents a new vision of hope, opportunity and equality for women in professional soccer.
“I became aware of all the challenges that the league in general, as well as the team, the Spirit, particularly faced. This was a lot about the gender equality in all aspects,” says Kang,(WAMU.ORG)
What is very interesting to me about Kang is that she is an immigrant who started a successful health technology business Cognosante, in my new home town, Falls Church, Virginia. She is using her American Dream to help others achieve their own dreams and she is ending a culture of abuse & inequality with a vision of hope & opportunity. It is inspiring to know the difference one woman can make but she will be the first to say that none of us act alone. Like on the soccer field, successful leaders are always supported by a team.