UPDATE: The SB9 vote has been rescheduled to a later date.
A Defining Moment in My Athletic Journey
Sitting on the pool deck after finishing the 1650 freestyle, gasping for air, and crying from exhaustion and pride, I had no idea how much that moment—and the journey to get there—would shape the rest of my life.
Being a female student-athlete helped me build great, long-lasting friendships. It helped me build character and grit. It stretched my limits and built my confidence. And it has greatly influenced who I am today as a Christ follower, wife, and mom.
But that opportunity is being threatened for young women today.
An Upcoming Vote
A turning point could be coming soon – the Pennsylvania Senate could vote on the Save Women’s Sports Act (Senate Bill 9) as early as next month. This bill would protect female athletes, both in K-12 and college—by ensuring that only women compete in women’s sports.
The Republican women of the Pennsylvania State Senate have stepped up to protect girls’ sports at the K-12 and collegiate levels in this new bill. Senators Judy Ward (R-Blair) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), the primary sponsors, are joined by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) and the seven other female GOP senators in taking a courageous stand.
Why This Matters
In their co-sponsor memo, these senators state:
“It’s imperative that we protect the opportunity for female athletes to compete on the athletic field in a fair and equal manner. Allowing a biological male to compete on a women’s scholastic athletic team puts all women on the playing field at an automatic disadvantage.”
They’re exactly right. And the facts speak for themselves:
- A UN report found that by March 2024, over 600 female athletes lost 890+ medals to male competitors identifying as female in over 29 sports.
- Since 2020, right here in Pennsylvania, girls have lost medals or placements in 66 separate instances—from swimming to fencing to track.
- Former NC volleyball player Payton McNabb suffered a career-ending injury after being spiked in the head by a male player identifying as female. She was knocked unconscious and continues to suffer lasting effects. This isn’t just about fairness. It’s about safety.
A Unifying Issue
This isn’t and shouldn’t be a partisan issue! A recent national poll shows:
- 78% of parents oppose biological males competing in girls’ sports.
- 86% of Republican parents, 80% of independents, and even 60% of Democrats share this view.
- Strong opposition exists across all racial demographics:
- 82% of Black parents, 83% of Hispanic parents, 88% of Asian parents, and 75% of white parents.
- 77% of parents also oppose biological males using female locker rooms and bathrooms.
This is not a fringe issue. It’s a broad, unifying consensus: Pennsylvanians believe in a fair and safe playing field for their daughters based on objective biology.
Let’s make 2025 the year we protect women and girls statewide. Our Independence Law Center has been helping many public and private schools do so individually for years, despite the predictable attacks. But courage breeds courage, resulting in a massive culture shift in 2024—when lawmakers chose principles over party, when brave athletes and coaches spoke up, and when the truth of what was happening became impossible to ignore.
Take Action Today
Click here to tell your Senator to support the Save Women’s Sports Act.
Every girl deserves the same fair chance I had.
