As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the many trailblazers in women’s sports who have paved the way for me, as well as consider the ways I can contribute to their progress. Being a young female in the historically male-dominated sports industry comes with its challenges. What I have learned from these challenges allows me to advocate for the success of future generations of women in sports. It’s more important than ever to amplify the voices of young women in athletics and shape a future where representation is the norm.

My role as a female athlete is part of my identity — I have been a competitive runner for over a decade. I was on the track and field and two-time national champion women’s cross-country teams at North Carolina State University. After graduation, I took a job in the sports industry as assistant director for the Durham Sports Commission. While sports have always been center stage in my life, I’m happy to see women getting the recognition they deserve on a much larger scale. Standouts like Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky are gaining attention for their talent and helping grow the visibility of women’s sports.

I recognize the importance of representation and have been grateful to have many female role models in leadership positions in my life. In the Durham community alone, several women........

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