Motherhood in sports | The GIST

Highlighting the impact of moms in changing the game, we have to acknowledge the revolutionary Serena Williams, a retired tennis icon. Serena’s journey began with a triumphant win at the 2017 Australian Open while she was eight weeks pregnant. However, after giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr., she faced severe health challenges.

As a mother of two, Serena paved the way for mothers in the tennis world. Despite being ranked No. 1 globally when she went on maternity leave in 2017, she returned to a ranking of No. 453 in early 2018. Serena courageously called out this unjust situation, leading to a significant change in the rules. Now, players on leave due to pregnancy, injury, or illness can retain their previous ranking for tournament entry upon their return. A game-changing moment indeed.

In a heartwarming declaration before her upcoming retirement in 2022, Allyson Felix, the most decorated U.S. track athlete in Olympic history, expressed her dedication to running for women, a better future for her daughter, and for everyone. This sentiment resonated deeply.

In 2019, Felix bravely spoke out against Nike’s plan to slash her salary by 70% during her pregnancy. Her activism led to a transformation at Nike, resulting in a new maternity policy being implemented that same year. Like Serena, Felix advocates for Black mothers, even testifying in front of the U.S. Congress in 2019 on the crisis affecting Black women’s health and mortality.

Partnering with Athleta and &Mother, Felix offered free childcare to athletes and their support staff at the USA Track & Field Championships last summer. They also introduced $10K grants to support athlete-moms with related expenses. Additionally, Saysh, Felix’s shoe brand, has a maternity return policy providing free shoe replacements for customers whose sizes change due to pregnancy.

These stories illustrate the courage and advocacy required to bring about crucial change. From hardwood courts to golf links, here are more pivotal moments that advanced or introduced maternity protections in women’s sports.

In the WNBA, progress in maternity rights was slow until 2018 when Skylar Diggins-Smith hid her pregnancy due to the inadequate half-salary maternity leave policy. Thankfully, the league made history in 2020 by introducing fully paid maternity leave, two-bedroom apartments for players with children, and a $5K annual childcare stipend in the collective bargaining agreement.

Similarly, the NWSL protected maternity rights in February 2022 through their first-ever CBA, offering eight weeks of fully paid parental leave to players for birth or adoption. The PWHL, as the first North American women’s pro league with a pre-game CBA, included maternity protections before its inaugural season, negotiated with the support of Kendall Coyne Schofield.

The progress achieved so far in advancing women’s rights in sports is truly inspiring. However, the journey towards gender equity in sports, specifically in maternity rights, is far from over. Athletes should not have to pause their careers to become parents or face repercussions for their choice.

Organizations must be held accountable for discrimination, as seen in the case of Dearica Hamby suing the WNBA and the Aces in 2023 for pregnancy-related discrimination. Sporting bodies need to address the unique needs of athlete-moms, especially in the current landscape affected by recent legal changes.

Let’s follow the wise words of Holly Rowe and normalize the presence of working mothers, including athlete-mothers, in sports. It is imperative that teams, sponsors, and fans fully support these incredible women on their journey towards equity and autonomy.