Respecting Women in Sports: Becoming Successful in the Male-dominated Space
Art Direction and Photograph by: Catie Menke. Model: Emily Rose.
Copy and Model: Emily Rose
Editor: Jeni Fjelstad
Creative Direction: Catie Menke
I was 10 years-old when I threw my first football that spiralled into my love for sports. My mother saw my passion, but when she tried to sign me up for a flag-football camp, she was told I was not allowed to play, because “I WAS A GIRL.”
Although the opportunity to participate in the sport was taken away from me, that did not put a stop to my hustle of wanting to be a part of the sports community.
Presently, I am diving into my junior year of pursuing my dream job, as my major in college. However, it has not been easy when my classroom blends in as a male’s locker room. The thing about being a woman in sports media, is that we feel as if we constantly have to prove ourselves and our knowledge. We have to have the thickest of skin and put in extra work, in order to earn respect in the industry.
My freshman year at the university consisted of being so eager to join any club that had the word “sports” in it. I had no prior experience of talking on a broadcast, let alone writing my own script and coming up with graphics to use. There was no one who was able to take the social media segment that week, and I raised my hand to take on that role. I was so excited to finally be on air for the first time, after being a part of this club for four months. No freshman was allowed to do this segment if they hadn’t done a PAC-12 segment, so I was even more ecstatic that I was picked. After recording my first segment, I was told that instead of including it in the broadcast, that it had been cut from the show without explanation.
I was crushed. I was embarrassed. I second guessed what I was capable of becoming. I knew I couldn’t let down the younger version of myself and continued to attend the club meetings after that heartache of a moment. A couple months later, I regained the courage to raise my hand and pitch a story idea for a new segment; this time the PAC-12 segment on the show. My first debut on the show went better than I could have imagined. Sometimes it isn’t always the male dominated side in sports that are scary but the ability to fail and come back stronger. Not giving up is one of the most valuable lessons to learn when wanting to earn the admiration you know you deserve in the industry.
As a woman, people will always jump on any opportunity to share their opinion. I tend to let those phrases turn into extra motivation. Even though this male dominated industry can make me feel small at times, the growing number of successful women in sports have paved a pathway for women like me to be empowered.
To become successful in this industry is not impossible, and I am so eager to show up, use the resources available and go that extra mile to become a respected woman in sports.
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