By La’Niya Jones
Here’s some big and exciting news for the women’s soccer community. The U.S. Postal Service has issued a forever stamp honoring women’s soccer at Exploria Stadium.
This stamp does not just represent the professionals in the field but the millions of women and girls who play the sport.
The Delta Collegiate acquired this photo from the press release on Jan. 17, 2023.
“This stamp honors more than a sport; it honors the women whose leadership continues to inspire the generations behind them,” said Amber McReynolds, a member of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors. “American female soccer players have been fighting for more than wins. They have been fighting for fairness and equality. And in the process, they have helped women everywhere move the ball down the field on a host of issues.”
This stamp does not just show the fight that women have gone through and continues to challenge; it also shows a light for growth and encouragement in the community and people who are trying to join.
“It is my hope that this stamp will inspire more young women to play this beautiful game,” said Morgan Wright, a player for Orlando City Youth Soccer Club.
Originally, women’s soccer was hidden in the shadows on U.S. college and university campuses, getting little funding and attention compared to their male counterparts. This changed in 1972 when Congress added Title IX, which prohibited discrimination based on gender when it came to any educational program or activity that received federal financial assistance.
Later in 1985, female soccer players were able to play and compete on an international level. That same year, the U.S. women’s national team was able to play their first official matches in Italy. In 1991, the team was able to compete in the first official FIFA Women’s World Cup, which took place in China, and secure the gold for the U.S.
Even after going international and winning the World Cup, women’s soccer still had not made a breakthrough with the public. The 1996 Summer Olympics thrust women’s soccer into the spotlight when it was included as a sport for the first time. In 2019, the U.S. made history as the only team to win four FIFA Women’s World Cup titles.
Since then, the number of women who play soccer has risen drastically, and the growth of young girls playing has followed right behind it. This number will continue to grow as future generations have amazing leaders to look up to. This stamp is just one step in the right direction, not just for women’s soccer but for women’s sports as a whole.
