HARRISON, NJ (March 8, 2023) – As NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrates International Women’s Day – a global day honoring the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women – superstar forward Lynn Williams shared her views on the impact the sport of soccer and her peers on Gotham FC, in the NWSL, and with the U.S. Women’s National Team have made on society:
Just in my lifetime, women’s soccer has grown an incredible amount. Women’s soccer has pushed the needle forward. The impact of the athletes of our sport has transcended soccer. It goes far beyond the great fans of the game.
On the field, we fight for our team and for victories. Off the field, the U.S. Women’s National Team equal pay fight illustrated why women deserve more. We deserve exactly what the men are getting. We do the same amount of work. We have made the same sacrifices.
The work of the USWNT has been huge. People in other walks of life and in other businesses and sports have seen what our national soccer team has achieved and now proudly say, “We can do the same thing.”
To some, we are also showing that women can lead different lifestyles, if they choose.
We are helping change the narrative of what it means to be a woman, what it means to be a wife, what it means to be a partner, what it means to be a mother.
We have players at Gotham FC who represent all fronts.
Look at Ali Krieger and Allie Long. Being a mom is the most selfless thing you can do. To be elite athletes at the same time as being moms, as Ali and Allie are doing, is incredible.
Taylor Smith came on our podcast (“Snacks”) and talked about the importance of mental health. Her openness about what she has overcome has made a massive difference and will continue to.
The work of Imani Dorsey and all of the athletes in the Black Women’s Player Collective has been extraordinary. I want to especially honor Imani because she has been the driving force in the building of soccer pitches in different communities and in acquiring the necessary funding. I admire the work of Imani and my fellow BWPC members so much. I know all the work it takes to be a pro athlete in the NWSL. But then to see someone like Imani find a way to also carve out the personal time to create something for the next generation is inspirational.
Just as I could go on forever about all of my teammates at Gotham FC and the USWNT, I could also list all of the members of my family. My heroes are in my family. I’ve seen my mom and the other women in my family overcome so much, and yet they continue to stay strong and support us. They have made sacrifices for all of us.
On International Women’s Day, I salute my family and all of my friends and peers in soccer.
Lynn Williams
March 8, 2023
