Empowering Women in Soccer with Grace Ahrens

In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, shares space with Grace Ahrens, the executive director of Women in Soccer, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting women and underrepresented individuals in soccer. Grace shares her multicultural background, her journey into social work, and how she found her way to Women in Soccer. The conversation explores the importance of mental health in sports and the growing soccer landscape in the United States.

This is the Athlete Mindset podcast. It is all about mental health in sports. It is presented and produced by SportsE Media as part of the podcast network.

Memorable Quote: “Soccer transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, serving not just as a sport but as a powerful medium for social change and community building.” - Grace Ahrens

"Grace Ahrens | Empowering Women in Soccer" Highlights:

• Grace's multicultural background and how it influences her work in soccer
• The mission and growth of Women in Soccer, connecting over 4,600 members nationally
• The importance of social work principles in the sports industry
• Mental health considerations for athletes and underrepresented individuals in the workforce
• The rapidly evolving landscape of soccer in the United States, including the upcoming World Cups
• The intersection of social work values and soccer in creating inclusive spaces
• The significance of representation and belonging in the sports industry

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About Grace Ahrens and Women in Soccer:

Grace Ahrens recently joined Women in Soccer (WIS) as the Executive Director, bringing her passion for building inclusive communities and her background in social work to the organization. With her previous experience as the GM of NYC Footy, the largest coed adult recreational soccer league in New York City, Grace is well-positioned to lead WIS in its mission to empower women and marginalized individuals in the soccer world.

Women in Soccer, founded in late 2020, is a national network that connects women and underrepresented individuals who love soccer. The organization's mission is to increase agency and representation for these groups within the beautiful game through community building. WIS welcomes people of all mind/body types, sexual orientations, gender identities, races, religious backgrounds, and ethnicities, including allies.

The idea for WIS was born from the experiences of co-founder Courtney Carroll Levinsohn and founding member Tracy Hamm, who recognized the need for a support network for those facing barriers in the male-dominated soccer industry. The organization gained momentum following the U.S. women's national team's 2019 World Cup victory and their subsequent fight for equal pay and inclusion.

WIS values inclusion, passion, action, and grit. The organization provides a free platform for its members to connect, access resources, and find job opportunities in soccer. With over 4,600 members nationally, WIS is rapidly growing and evolving to meet the needs of the changing soccer landscape in the United States.

As Executive Director, Grace Ahrens is excited about the future of women's soccer and is committed to making the industry more equitable and inclusive. Her leadership at WIS aligns perfectly with her background in social work and her dedication to creating progressive communities within the sport.

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