Empowering Women in Sports: Sarah Axelson's Journey from Softball to Advocacy

Sarah Axelson's passion for sports, especially in advocating for women's and girls' participation, was evident from a young age. Growing up, she experienced firsthand the disparities between men's and women's sports. One vivid memory stands out: her father questioning why her Little League trophy was smaller than the boys'. Such moments, though subtle, highlighted the ongoing inequalities in sports.

Throughout her youth, Axelson faced numerous instances that reminded her of these discrepancies. Her father played a crucial role in supporting her sporting endeavors, ensuring she had the same opportunities as her male peers. "He never was the head coach, but he was the one that was showing up, had the keys to the tractor, showing up early to get the water off the field to make sure that we were able to play," she recalls, describing how the school prioritized the boys' field over the girls'.

Despite these challenges, Axelson thrived in sports, particularly in softball. Her talent earned her a spot at the University of Mary Washington, a Division III school in Virginia, where she continued to excel as a catcher and first baseman.

From College Softball to Advocacy

After college, Sarah Axelson embraced her identity as a gay woman and reflected on how her experiences in sports shaped her. Her time on the field taught her valuable life skills, especially the importance of resilience. "One of the things that I always point to when we're talking about how the sport skills translate into life skills, is learning how to fail," she shares. "Softball, baseball, they're games of failure if you look at batting percentages, right? If you're only successful a third of the time, you're doing pretty decent."

Her athletic journey paved the way for her career in advocacy. During a bus ride back from an away game, a teammate mentioned an internship opportunity at the Women’s Sports Foundation. Founded by tennis legend Billie Jean King, the organization aims to advance the lives of women and girls through sports. Intrigued by their mission, Axelson applied for the internship after graduating in 2008.

That opportunity marked the beginning of Axelson’s career in advocacy. She started as an education and program associate and quickly fell in love with the work. Over the years, she climbed the ranks, earning her Master’s of Public Administration and becoming the vice president of advocacy.

The Importance of Title IX

With over 17 years of experience, Axelson is well-versed in Title IX, the legislation that guarantees women athletes the right to equal opportunity in sports. She emphasizes the need for more awareness and understanding of these rights to foster growth and progress. "As much progress as we've seen over the last 50-plus years of having Title IX on the books, we know that there's still so much opportunity for growth and progress for girls in sports," she states.

Axelson's dedication extends to her personal life as well. Living in New York with her wife, daughter, son, and dog, she is passionate about ensuring her children have access to sports. "[My work with the Women's Sports Foundation] has turned into a bit of a life's work, to make sure that my daughter, eventually, my kids understand Title IX, that they can advocate for themselves if they see something that doesn't feel right," she explains.

A Vision for the Future

Axelson is optimistic about the growing popularity of women’s sports. She believes that recent legislative changes and lawsuits have the potential to transform the landscape of women's sports significantly. "While the recent boom in women’s sports popularity is certainly worth celebrating—Title IX is certainly to credit—there is still so much work to be done before we see full gender equity in sports," she says.

Her commitment to ensuring Title IX is utilized to its fullest potential is unwavering. Axelson's insight and experience make her an invaluable advocate for women's sports, and she continues to inspire others to champion the cause.