Head Coach of Notre Dame women's basketball team, Muffet McGraw has called for more women in positions of power in an inspiring press conference ahead of the 2019 NCAA Final Four.
"We don't have enough female role models," McGraw said in response to a question regarding how seriously she takes being a leader.
"We don't have enough visible women leaders. We don't have enough women in power.”
“Enough,” she said. “I think women across the country in the last few years have just said enough. Time’s up. Time’s up. It’s our turn. If it’s going to happen, we have to do something about it. You see women marching in record numbers across the country. Women are coming out and being more active politically.
All these millions of girls that play sports across the country, we're teaching them great things about life skills. But wouldn't it be great if we could teach them to watch how women lead? This is a path for you to take to get to the point where in this country we have 50 percent of women in power. We have right now less than 5 percent of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies."
McGraw, now in her 32nd season at Notre Dame and is arguably one of the most experienced coaches in the country winning more than 800 games and two national championships.
Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, Dr Bridie O’Donnell applauded McGraw’s comments.
“When those with a voice use their platform to articulate themselves, it has a ripple effect.” Dr O’Donnell said.
“The lack of women in visible leadership roles in sport and recreation is an issue worldwide. Through initiatives such as Change Our Game, we are working to drive positive change and create environments where women have the opportunity to lead and succeed in off field leadership roles.
“The sector is experiencing a wave of support and the appetite for change is at an all-time high. Through the work delivered by the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation and high profile advocates such as Muffet McGraw, the message is very clear – the time is now.” Dr O’Donnell said.
