News Article

The National Archives and Play Like a Girl!® Announce “Girl Power: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Athletes”

April 27, 2023

Washington DC – The National Archives presents “Girl Power: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Athletes” on Thursday, May 4 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. The event will feature an intimate conversation with a star-studded lineup of accomplished female athletes, including softball legend Monica Abbott, former WNBA-player-turned executive Bethany Donaphin and two-time Olympic alpine skier Patricia Mangan. 

The live, hour-long digital event is inspired by the National Archives’ current exhibit “All American: The Power of Sports” and is hosted in partnership with national nonprofit Play Like a Girl®. Play Like a Girl founder and CEO Dr. Kimberly Clay will give opening remarks. Sports broadcaster Natalie Kalibat will moderate the signature discussion. Panelists will recount their career journeys and how they tackled the belief that “girls can’t do that,” inspiring girls to pursue their dreams by trusting their inner voices and never settling for “no.” These four remarkable athletes will also share how a background in sports has led them to success both on and off the field of play.

“As a member of the Honorary Committee for the ‘All American: The Power of Sports’ exhibit, it is an honor to partner with the National Archives Museum and Foundation to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to life for girls across the country during Physical Fitness and Sports Month,” said Dr. Clay. “This is an extraordinary opportunity for Play Like a Girl® to do what we do best: give girls the tools, connections and inspiration they need on their journey to becoming unstoppable women.”

To join the free “Girl Power” experience, visit www.archivesfoundation.org/events to register. The event will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater at the National Archives Museum, located at 701 Constitution Avenue NW in Washington, DC, and livestreamed to audiences nationwide on the National Archives YouTube channel. Museum attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street NW. Metro is accessible on the Green Line at the Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station. The “All American” exhibit will be open for viewing prior to the panel discussion. Attendees will also enjoy a networking reception and photo opportunity with the Play Like a Girl athlete ambassadors immediately following the program. 

Members of the media who are interested in interviewing the athletes or any additional information can contact the National Archives Public and Media Communications staff at public.affairs@nara.gov.

About the National Archives
The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent federal agency that serves American democracy by safeguarding and preserving the records of our government so people can discover, use and learn from this documentary heritage. The National Archives ensures continuing access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their government. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The agency supports democracy, promotes civic education and facilitates historical understanding of our national experience. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, records centers and Presidential Libraries and online at www.archives.gov.

About the National Archives Foundation
The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at www.archivesfoundation.org.

About Play Like a Girl!®
Play Like a Girl is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to level the playing field for girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The organization harnesses the collective power of women volunteers and male allies to unite around gender inequality and the critical role they play in inspiring the next generation of women leaders. Play Like a Girl programs, which primarily live in a hybrid space, elevate women who are natural role models and leaders in their communities through partnerships with companies working to advance diversity, equity and inclusion across all industries and sectors. Since launching in 2004, Play Like a Girl has reached more than 50,000 girls and women in the United States and around the world through in-person and virtual programming. Play Like a Girl is a Black, woman-founded and woman-led organization governed by an active volunteer board of directors. To learn more and make a donation to Play Like a Girl, visit iplaylikeagirl.org, and follow @iplaylikeagirl on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

About “All American: The Power of Sports”
The power of sports has many applications. Sports unite people, teach values and inspire hope and pride. In the United States, sports have powered efforts to bring citizens together, shape them and project a vision of what it means to be American. But sports convey power to athletes too—power to break social barriers and protest injustice. “All American” explores the power of sports both to embody our national ideals and to challenge us to live up to them. “All American” is free and open to the public and is on display in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, through January 7, 2024. This 3,000-square-foot exhibit showcases more than 75 items, including original records, artifacts and photographs. Highlights include original sports equipment and jerseys given by star athletes to Presidents, early 20th-century tobacco baseball cards, trophies, rare pictures and film footage, patents and more. “All American: The Power of Sports” and programs presented in conjunction with the exhibit are made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of AT&T, AARP and Mars, Incorporated. Additional support has been provided by HISTORY® and the Lawrence F. O’Brien Family. The National Archives Foundation All American: The Power of Sports Honorary Committee includes past and current athletes, members of Congress, leaders of sport-related nonprofit institutions, corporate executives, journalists and other distinguished dignitaries who support the ideals of the National Archives exhibition.