In the middle of April, US Soccer invited members of The Current team press passes to attend the SheBelieves Summit at the Seattle convention center. At the event, impactful women came together to promote the continuous growth and empowerment of women in sports while advocating for athletes (specifically female) mental health.
“Not only do young girls need to be inspired by us, but the younger generation,” said Ally Sentnor—a message that set the tone for the SheBelieves Summit.
The event brought together athletes, executives, and advocates from across the sports world. The summit created a space centered around supporting women in sports both on and off the field. From conversations on leadership and health to discussions about equity and representation, each speaker reinforced the importance of investing in women— not just as athletes, but as leaders shaping the future.
Hosted by TNT Sports Anchor and Reporter, Sara Walsh, the event featured a wide range of voices including: US Women’s National Team (USWNT) Head Coach, Emma Hayes, Chief Social Impact Officer for Seattle Storm, Sheridan Blanford, and Olympic-gold-medalist Hilary Knight. Each speaker brought their own unique perspective, but their messages consistently centered around the same theme: leadership in women’s sports must be intentional, inclusive, and forward thinking.
For Hayes, leadership begins with rethinking the system itself. Growing up in London, with little to no female role models in the sport, she spoke about the importance of creating opportunities which didn’t exist for her generation. Her father told her, “You’re gonna be the one to change it…reshape the conversations of women’s game.” Taking the advice of her influential father, she went on to lead the U.S. Women’s National Team. She emphasized that she uses a “female lens” in coaching — one that prioritizes women’s health, nutrition, and overall, well-being. “Winning is not enough,” Hayes said, “I want to create a better situation for that young Emma Hayes.” Her message highlighted a shift in sports culture for both, young girls and grown women. Success is no longer defined solely by just points and wins, but also by how athletes are supported along the way.
The idea of redefining leadership was echoed by Parlow Cone, former World Cup and Olympic champion. Reflecting on her own career, she reminded those in the room that, “leaders don’t always have to be the loudest in the room,” highlighting that impact often comes from consistency, integrity, and the ability to uplift others.
During the Summit, we had the opportunity to speak to Sheridan Blanford, Chief Social Impact Officer for the Seattle Storm. Blanford, who essentially created her own role with the Storm, described the experience as, “building the plane as you fly it,” having to navigate the intersection of where advocacy and equity meet business. As the only woman of color on her basketball team at St. Olaf College, especially being the only Black woman, the lack of representation at her Predominantly White Institution (PWI) played a huge role in her drive for change. With the absence of people from her own community, Blanford had to ask herself this question: “What can you learn from environments where you’re not celebrated?”
Expanding on her experience, we asked Blanford “What advice do you have for other women of color who find themselves underrepresented in those spaces?”
In response, she emphasized that “your voice, your story, matters. And if you have a connection with one person, you have influence. Don’t ever let anybody tell you everything different.”
When asked who she looked up to for inspiration, Blanford mentioned the powerful Black women that she comes from, notably her grandmother and aunt. She went on to describe the sacrifices that her grandmother, who grew up in the Jim Crow South, had to make for her to get to where she is today. In addition, she also brought up her aunt, Rhonda Blanford-Green, who was the first Black woman to oversee a high school athletics association. With these women as a role-models, she saw the type of woman she could be.
Finally, we asked her, “What does visibility mean to you?”
“Presence is really, really important…” said Blanford, “it can change people’s lives and trajectories. So, I’m a firm believer that if I show up in spaces – as my true, authentic, bold brain, big hair, vulnerable self – that it gives permission for other people to be that. And so, I want to be visible as the best Sheridan I can be, so that other people can be the best ‘blank’ for themselves.”
To tie off the summit, the conference headliner was none other than Olympic gold medalist and world record hockey player: Hilary Knight.
At 36 years old, Hilary Knight has won five Olympic medals (two gold medals) and ten gold medals from the IIHF World Women’s Championship. Hilary plays Forward on the Torrent and has been skating and playing hockey since she was two years old. When the PWNHL first started, Hilary was signed as one of Boston’s first three foundational players in 2023. Then in 2025 Hilary signed a one-year contract with Torrent as a free agent.
One special moment that Knight touched on from this year’s Winter Olympics was her proposal to her girlfriend (now fiancé), Brittany Bowe, where she knelt on an injured knee and asked her to marry her right before the final game against Canada. This personal victory was soon followed by another professional victory, as the USA women’s hockey team won the game against Canada and earned gold.
As Captain of the Seattle Torrent Women’s Professional hockey team, and the USA women’s Olympic hockey team, she is for promoting athlete advocacy — especially in women’s sports — and equality for all. After the games, Knight noted the staggering increase in youth registration and participation.
All attendees at the SheBelieves Summit strive for a future where women and girls can see other successful women, and in turn can see that future for themselves, too.
Knight stated, “Seeing all these younger faces in the stands who understand that now they have a career path that they get to see their dream out and also get paid a livable wage while doing it is pretty special… Those are going to be the faces that we’re going to see that are going to fill our skates someday.”
