When girls and women succeed, we all succeed

As anyone who has ever played a team sport knows, when we work together, we can achieve more. That’s the concept behind the newly launched SheBelieves Ambassadors program, a U.S. Soccer initiative that is elevating and uniting 10 nonprofits, organizations and individuals dedicated to positively impacting girls and women—including ours.

As a SheBelieves Ambassador, Play Like a Girl will be able to highlight the important work we’re doing for girls and women to a much broader audience (i.e. fans of the incredible U.S. Women’s National Team). We’ll learn from and share what we know with the other change-makers in the program. And, we’ll be able to amplify our ability to inspire and empower girls and women through the work we do—because that’s the mission of SheBelieves, too.

“SheBelieves compliments our efforts at Play Like a Girl to leverage sport to develop girls’ confidence and competitive edge — both on and off the field of play,” says Dr. Kimberly Clay, Play Like a Girl CEO and founder. “Together with the U.S. Soccer Federation and the U.S. Women’s National Team, we are working to accelerate women’s careers by starting when girls are most impressionable and motivated.” 

Play Like a Girl joins nine other ambassadors, spanning sports, STEM, the arts and professional development. More than half of the organizations focus on serving girls and women in underserved or minority communities.

While this is the first year for the Ambassadors program, SheBelieves got its start in 2015, as a nod to the inspiring U.S. Women’s National Team and the incredible success they had that year. (Need a reminder? They played like girls — and won the World Cup!)

It wasn’t luck, but dedication, teamwork and perseverance that led the team to success. And in turn, that success has inspired a new generation of girls and women to believe that their dreams, on the field and beyond, are attainable.

The launch of the ambassador program coincides with the SheBelieves Cup, a four-team international invitational that kicks off this week.

Check out the schedule and where to catch the action.