After decades of fighting for gender equity, I was burning out—until a powerful new play about Billie Jean King rekindled my resolve to keep pushing for change.
Billie Jean is playing through Aug. 10 in Chicago. (Courtesy of Chicago Shakespeare Theater)
I’m tired. Maybe you are too.
I’ve been fighting for gender equality for over two decades—pushing against outdated norms, challenging industries that resist change, and speaking up in rooms where I wasn’t always welcome. I’ve built businesses, created toys that empower girls, held meetings at the Biden White House, written a book and numerous articles, delivered keynotes and rallied for change. And while I’ve seen progress, the setbacks have a way of draining your spirit.
Lately, I’ve felt that exhaustion more than ever. Not because I’m disinterested. Not because I’ve stopped believing. But because change—especially the kind that disrupts power structures—takes everything you have. And even then, it sometimes feels like it’s not enough.
But last week, I felt a shift in my energy.
I saw Billie Jean, the new play about Billie Jean King, at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. And just like that, something inside me reignited.
Billie Jean King has been a north star in my life, though she doesn’t know it. I was 9 years old when I watched her take on Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes.” Even then, I could feel the weight of what she was doing. It wasn’t just a tennis match—it was a declaration. She wasn’t just fighting for herself; she was fighting for every girl and woman who’d ever been told she didn’t belong on the court, in the boardroom or at the table.
That moment opened my eyes to the inequality women face—especially in sports.
As I got older, I learned more about her role in fighting for Title IX, which gave girls like me a shot at competing on equal footing. Her courage laid the foundation for so many of us to dream bigger, play harder and believe that we were just as worthy.
Years later, when I launched a line of sports dolls to shatter gender stereotypes, I often thought about Billie. When industry executives told me that “girls like fashion, not sports,” or that “Black dolls don’t sell,” I remembered Billie. When they said girl empowerment was a trend that had passed, I remembered Billie. When they said a doll without makeup, flashy outfits or glitter wouldn’t work, I remembered Billie—and kept going.
And now, once again, as I question whether the fight is working, she shows up—this time on a stage in Chicago, portrayed brilliantly by Chilina Kennedy.
Jodi Bondi Norgaard and Pim Doerr Alley, co-founder of Suite Escape. (Courtesy of Bondi Norgaard)
The dialogue was a gut punch in the best way. Lines like:
“Losers find an excuse; winners find a way.”
“Pressure is a privilege.”
“Change is a team sport.”
And maybe my favorite: “Winners adjust.”
This wasn’t just theater. It was a masterclass in perseverance.
Because yes, pressure is a privilege. It means people are watching. It means the work matters. And yes, change is a team sport. We can’t do this alone. We need each other—to vent to, to strategize with, to lift one another when the load gets heavy.
And we will have to adjust. Again and again. Because the backlash to progress is real. Just look around: women’s rights under attack, women’s accomplishments being erased, women’s sports caught in political crosshairs, the word “feminist” treated like a slur. We’re watching hard-won gains get chipped away. It’s enough to make anyone want to sit down and rest.
But last night reminded me that rest is not the same as resignation.
We are allowed to be tired. But we are not allowed to give up.
(Courtesy of Chicago Shakespeare Theater)
Billie Jean King never did. Not when they told her women’s tennis wasn’t worth watching. Not when they denied her equal pay. Not when they dismissed Title IX as unnecessary. She never gave up—and because of that, generations of women have been able to step onto courts, into locker rooms, boardrooms, classrooms and stages with more rights and more visibility than ever before.
And yet … we still have so far to go.
That’s why I’m writing this. Not to share a story about a play, but to share a truth about persistence. The path to equality is long, winding and punishing. But it is also worth every step.
So if you’re tired—really tired—I see you. I am you. But if there’s even a flicker left in your chest, fan that flame.
Because we still need your voice. Your advocacy. Your energy. Your story.
Let’s remind each other that we’re not alone. That the fight didn’t start with us, and it won’t end with us. But while we’re here, we carry it forward. Together.
Billie taught me that. Twice.
And I’m not done yet.
(Courtesy of Chicago Shakespeare Theater)
Billie Jean
By Lauren Gunderson Directed by Marc Bruni
Run Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes (including intermission)
Developed by special arrangement with Harriet Newman Leve and Stephanie Sandberg with Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner.
Associate Production Sponsor Ruth D. and Ken M. Davee New Work and Education Outreach Fund
Established in 1787, York College of Pennsylvania is a private, four-year college located in the city of York, a hub of arts and industry between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Housed on 190 picturesque acres, the college is known for its focus on experiential learning and community engagement, serving over 4,000 undergraduate and 300+ graduate students in more than 70 baccalaureate majors, along with 20+ graduate and professional programs. Deeply rooted in the liberal arts and recognized for excellence in its professional nursing, business, engineering, and education programs, York is ranked among the nation’s top 50 Best Value Schools by U.S. News. The College’s robust recreation and athletics program is among the best in the region, and is home to 23 NCAA III Division sports teams and 30+ intramural sports. A Princeton Review Best Northeastern College, York prides itself on its experienced, engaged faculty; its high-impact and student-centric philosophy; and its long-standing commitment to affordability and accessibility.
York College is committed to building a diverse college community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply.
Former UC-Santa Barbara outside hitter Eva Travis has committed to the Wisconsin volleyball team.
Travis, the 2024 Big West freshman of the year, has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
She is the second player to join the Badgers via the transfer portal in this cycle.
Wisconsin volleyball has continued to find success with its 2025 transfer portal shopping.
Former UC-Santa Barbara outside hitter Eva Travis has committed to the Badgers via the transfer portal, she announced Dec. 22 on Instagram. She has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
After redshirting in 2023, Travis was the 2024 Big West freshman of the year as she tallied double-digit kill totals in 25 of her 30 matches and averaged 3.35 kills per set while hitting .210. She then averaged 3.93 kills per set in 2025 for the Gauchos while hitting an improved .240.
The 5-foot-10 outside hitter had 21 kills against USC and 19 kills against Creighton as the Gauchos pushed their ranked foes to five sets on Sept. 5 and 6.
“So excited and grateful to announce my commitment to continue my career at Wisconsin!” Travis said in the Instagram post. “Thank you to Coach Sheffield and the entire staff for this opportunity and to my family, teammates and coaches for all the support along the way. Go Badgers!”
Travis is the second player to commit to the Badgers in this portal cycle, joining ex-Florida middle blocker Jaela Auguste. UW has plenty of roster spots to fill after five players departed via the portal – setter Addy Horner, outside hitter Trinity Shadd-Ceres, middle blocker Tosia Serafinowska and liberos/defensive specialists Aniya Warren and Maile Chan.
ADRIAN, Mich. – Adrian College Athletic Director Craig Rainey ’89 announced a leadership change for the track and field program following the resignation of head coach Kaylie Laskody due to personal reasons. Beginning in the new year, Matthew Gipple will serve as Acting Head Coach for the spring 2026 season. Following the conclusion of the academic year, Kirk Richards will assume the role of head coach for the Adrian College track and field teams.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Gipple and Coach Richards to Adrian College,” said Rainey. “Coach Gipple has demonstrated success as an assistant coach at Siena Heights, and we are confident in his ability to lead the program as Acting Head Coach. We look forward to welcoming Coach Richards to Adrian College at the conclusion of the 2026 season and wish him the best of luck in his final season at Siena Heights.”
Gipple has served as an assistant coach for the Siena Heights University cross country and track and field programs since 2024. During his time with the Saints, he has coached two conference champions, five national qualifiers, and one All-American. His athletes also include five All-Conference selections and one program record holder.
As a student-athlete at Siena Heights, Gipple competed in track and field and compiled an accomplished career. He earned four All-American honors, captured two conference championships, received 12 All-Conference selections, and qualified for seven national championships.
Richards brings extensive coaching experience to Adrian College, having spent 15 seasons at Siena Heights University coaching cross country and track and field. During his tenure, Richards coached 129 All-Americans, 94 individual conference champions, and 16 national champions. At the team level, he led the Saints to WHAC Outdoor Track and Field Women’s Championships in both 2016 and 2017.
Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Richards spent 18 years coaching at the high school level. He guided his teams to 14 regional championships and 42 conference titles while mentoring multiple state champions in events including pole vault, hurdles, distance, long jump, and sprint relays. Richards has also demonstrated strong local recruiting success at Siena Heights, with 25 of the program’s 28 athletes hailing from Michigan and two from northwest Ohio.
Gipple will begin his coaching duties at Adrian College immediately, while Richards will transition to Adrian College following the 2026 season.
–Twenty-five Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2025 NCAA Division III Academic All-District® Women’s Volleyball Team, selected by the College Sports Communicators.
Individuals from the WIAC receiving the honor included: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Mya Cinnamo, Kaitlyn Erickson, Bailey Leeke and Abby Stanwood; UW-La Crosse’s Taylor Larson, Grace Nommensen and Kayla Sexton; UW-Oshkosh’s Izzy Coon, Jaclyn Dutkiewicz, Grace Juergens and Samantha Perlberg; UW-Platteville’s Kierney McDonald; UW-River Falls’ Lauren Noth and Audrey Petersen; UW-Stevens Point’s Tessa Erlandson, Olivia Paukner, Lauren Shaw and Carly Thomka; UW-Stout’s Maja Anderson, Emma Barton, Brynn Hessel and Brooke McCune; and UW-Whitewater’s Emma Bludgen, Abbie Dix and Amanda Hillmann.
To be eligible for the Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® award, a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, must compete in 90 percent of the institution’s sets OR must start in at least 66 percent of the institution’s total matches, and must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically.
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. | The Skyline Conference released its winter weekly reports on Monday and two women’s basketball players from Farmingdale State College claimed Player and Rookie of the Week honors.
Farmingdale State increased their winning streak to four consecutive games with a convincing 90-56 victory over non-conference opponent John Jay last week.
Senior guard Shyann Parker (Floral Park, N.Y.) was named the Skyline Conference Player of the Week after finishing just two assists shy of a triple-double at John Jay. She compiled 13 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, eight assists and two steals in the win.
Freshman forward Alana Henry (Amityville, N.Y.) picked up Rookie of the Week honors as she scored 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting to go along with five rebounds, two steals, and a blocked shot.
The women’s basketball team returns in the new year for a noontime start on January 3 (Sat.) at Hunter College.
The Rams had the week off and are back in action January 3 (Sat.), when they play host to St. Joseph’s-Brooklyn in a 2 p.m. tip-off. Prior to the contest, the team will welcome youth basketball players as part of its annual CYO Day.
Indoor Track and Field
Farmingdale State returns to action on January 9, when it travels to the Ocean Breeze complex in Staten Island, N.Y., for the St. Thomas Aquinas Spartan Invitational at noon.
The University of Wisconsin volleyball team received another blow to its roster in the transfer portal cycle Monday, just mere hours after picking up a transfer addition from UC Santa Barbara.
