Join the Campaign: More Women Political and Sport Leaders

When we invited Shannon Garrett, the Great Lakes Regional Director of The White House Project to do a presentation for the young women at our coaches camp, and to join us for a podcast conversation, we expected to discuss the many challenges that women triumph over in running for political office.

The White House Project directs its own camps and leadership programs for women interested in learning, not about leading their own team, but about managing their own political campaigns. We learned from Shannon not only about how women can win elections.

Shannon's commitment to The White House Project reminds us of our role in debunking common myths about women in all leadership positions, from sport to politics.

Of the many myths still circulating, the most troubling one is this: Americans believe gender inequities no longer exist in political leadership. After all, they see women in political leadership roles alot...or at least enough...in their minds. Look at Hillary Clinton, the current Secretary of State; Sarah Palin, 2008 Vice Presidential candidate; and Jennifer Granholm, Michigan's current governor.

This is true in sport too. Yes, there are large numbers of girls who play sport. Just as there are large numbers of women who vote. But a critical mass of women in coaching and in political leadership? We can't just see and assume that women now count. We have to actually count them. And the numbers of women in sport leadership and the numbers of women in political office remain disturbingly low.

The White House Project and The Academy for Sport Leadership may have different coaches. We may run in different races. We are definitely, however, on the same side and playing in the same game.

And we plan to help each other win and lead together.