CHICAGO — When Lane Tech junior Grace Clifford steps onto the basketball court, she feels the same power she held while attending the recent Women's March in Chicago.
"Attending the march reinforced my gratitude for playing basketball," Clifford said. "If not for the inspirational women’s rights activists before us, my team and I would not be playing at Lane today."
To honor women's sports, Indians head coach Corrine Ulmer organized a "celebration game" as part of Thursday's home tilt against Chicago Bulls College Prep. Ulmer has invited all of the girls athletic teams to the game, which takes place a day after Wednesday's National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
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"This game is a celebration of how far we have come as women in sports, since Title IX, and how far we still have to go," Ulmer said. "For us, sport isn't just a hobby or a conversation topic around the dinner table; it's a means of mobility, an avenue of expression, and a way to cultivate a positive self concept."
Ulmer this season had each of her players list reasons why they were thankful for basketball in their lives — and sharing them on social media with the hashtag #IPlayBecause.
Senior four-year varsity player Maya Lilly said playing basketball, which she said is a "male-dominated sport," helps her prove women belong. She said President Donald Trump's victory in the November election also plays a role in her hoops career.
"The sports world is one place where time and time again people try to keep women out," Lilly said. "I think after the last presidential election the importance of projecting our voices as women seemed necessary. ... It is important to keep encouraging young women to continue to do what they are passionate about even in a field that is dominated by men."
Lane senior Megan Heneghan said she considers her teammates as "all of the sisters I never had." Yesenia Rodriguez, a junior who played on a boys team throughout grammar school because there wasn't a girls squad, said she loves being part of a Lane lineup that "plays with heart and hustle." Junior Zoey Ellis said basketball has taught her "mental toughness and instilled in me that learning to fail and improve are necessary on my road to success."
Ulmer, whose Indians are 13-7, said sports provide women with confidence, leadership skills and strength.
"The best way for girls to feel empowered is to share in what strength and confidence is present when they are playing sports," she said. "The more they see it and feel it in each other, the easier it is for it to be OK to compete, to try, to be passionate, and to push one another without putting down one another. Women need to support other women."