The Perfect Storm: WNBA Team the Seattle Storm Ignites Social Justice

Traditionally, professional athletes aren’t known for speaking their minds, though that’s beginning to change. Their personal opinions often remain private to protect an endorsement—or three. Of course, there’s the apocryphal story of Michael Jordan saying, “Republicans buy sneakers, too,” when asked about a political opinion he did not want to give. But there are professional athletes who speak their minds and stand up in the face of social and political injustice. And they’re often women.

“I think in some ways, as women, we’re used to speaking out about social issues,” says Dawn Trudeau, Co-owner of WNBA team the Seattle Storm. “We’re concerned about taking care of our community and our families. I think that even just women’s professional sports, to some degree, is a social issue. It doesn’t have the same support men’s sports do—that’s a social issue in and of itself.”