Because of Title IX: Cori Pinkett

Director of Leadership and Education, Women Leaders in College Sports

Finish this sentence: “Because of Title IX...”

I uncovered my leadership potential.

How have the athletic and academic opportunities afforded to you because of Title IX impacted your life? Can you imagine your life without them?

From as early as I can recall, sports was a part of my life. Some of my fondest childhood memories are related to sports: winning third in the 4x400 at the state track meet, being the one of two girls on the 4th grade basketball team and surprising my teammates with my shooting ability, being a captain as a freshman, and winning state as a Cinderella team my senior year of high school. I can’t imagine my life without sports. I learned toughness and resiliency, teamwork, and leadership. My coaches saw potential I didn’t know existed. They invested in me in and out of the gym. They uncovered the leader I didn’t know I was and empowered me to be leader our team needed. Sports was more than something we did for fun, it was the first step to uncovering my potential.

Tell us about a woman who championed you in pursuing your goals. How did her influence inspire or affect you and your career?

Three women come to mind when thinking of my athletic, academic, and professional pursuits: my mom, Coach Liz, and Coach Jackie. My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader. I never heard much during a game but I could always hear her cheers! I don’t recall her missing anything. She encouraged me to try whatever my heart desired and didn’t let me quit when things got tough. I appreciate my parents because they never allowed sports to take the front seat. If I was hooping, it was because I brought home great grades. My mom and dad set high expectations which pushed me academically and resulted in success professionally.

Coach Liz was my first female coach. I credit her for recognizing my leadership potential. I had no clue what to think when she made me captain my freshman year. I felt so unprepared and intimated. I learned what it means to lead by example.

Enter Coach Jackie to kick things up a notch! She taught me grit, how to hustle, and how to take my leadership to the next level. Though I dreaded waking up for my 7am individual workouts, it was in those moments that I built perseverance and mental toughness.

How are you continuing to champion the next generation of women and girls in sports, and raise awareness on the importance Title IX?

I don’t take my position as a women of color lightly! Our young women need positive role models that provide examples of a promising future. Starting as early as undergrad, I always found ways to pour into young people especially women. I served as a mentor and tutor with Upward Bound and took some of the women under my wing. To this day I can explicitly recall a statement a student-athlete made during my time as a graduate assistant. She said, “Thank you for being a positive role model and inspiring me to be successful. I hope to be like you one day!” That struck me to my core and reminded me of my responsibility to the young women coming behind me. I must set the right example. I must do everything in my power to help them succeed I must lift them as I rise!

If you could send an empowering tweet to every woman and girl across the country, what would you send?

Be confident! Be fearless! Be You!