Because of Title IX: Elisha Orama

Leadership & Events Coordinator, Women Leaders in College Sports

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

I had the opportunity to play basketball in high school and eventually in college. Basketball played a huge role in getting me where I am today.

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

Without the chance to play basketball, I would not have attended the college I went to and probably would be in a different career path. Going to play basketball at Wellesley was the best decision I could have made and has since opened many doors for me.

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

Well, I’ve never met the 1999 US Women’s soccer national team, but I do remember watching that World Cup Final when I was 9 years old. I think it was the first time I ever witnessed crowds of people excited for women’s sports, and the first time I saw women showing passion for the sport the same way I had seen men express it. It impacted me deeply. They taught me that is was okay to LOVE playing sports as a girl and that sports were not just for boys.

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

In the work we do here at Women Leaders we pursue adding more women to leadership roles in college sports. I think more gender diversity at the top (and other kinds of diversity) will ultimately benefit women and girls playing sports.

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

There’s nothing like Lady Power.