Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and a prominent tech entrepreneur, caused a stir on social media when he tweeted his support for The Sports Bra Project (@TheSportsBraPDX). The tweet simply read “Followed!” but its significance was not lost on those who are familiar with the work of The Sports Bra Project.
The Sports Bra Project is a non-profit organization that collects and distributes sports bras to girls and women around the world who do not have access to them. The lack of proper athletic wear can be a significant barrier for girls and women who want to participate in sports and other physical activities. Without proper support, breast discomfort or pain can make it difficult, if not impossible, to engage in these activities.
Since its inception in 2015, The Sports Bra Project has distributed over 20,000 bras to girls and women in need. It has partnered with organizations such as Girls on the Run International and She’s the First to provide bras to athletes all over the world.
Ohanian’s tweet was seen as an endorsement of both The Sports Bra Project’s mission and its efforts. As someone who has been involved in entrepreneurship for many years, Ohanian understands how important it is for people to have access to resources that can help them succeed. By supporting The Sports Bra Project, he is helping more girls and women have access to one of these crucial resources: proper athletic wear.
This tweet comes at a time when there is renewed attention being paid to issues related to gender equity in sports. In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny given towards topics such as equal pay for female athletes and improving conditions for female coaches. But even something as seemingly small as having access to a properly fitting sports bra can make all the difference when it comes to getting more girls involved in sports.
In fact, research shows that providing sports bras can increase participation rates among young women by up to 73%. This is because, without proper support, many girls and women may feel self-conscious or uncomfortable when participating in sports. By providing a basic piece of athletic wear, The Sports Bra Project is helping more girls feel confident and empowered to participate in physical activities.
The Sports Bra Project has received widespread support from athletes, celebrities, and other notable figures over the years. Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn has been an outspoken supporter of the organization and even donated her own sports bras to help with their efforts. Actress Sophia Bush has also been a vocal advocate for The Sports Bra Project’s mission.
For Ohanian to add his voice to this chorus of support speaks volumes about the importance of this issue. As someone who has achieved great success in his own career, he understands how access to resources can make all the difference. By supporting The Sports Bra Project, he is helping ensure that more girls and women have access to one such resource: proper athletic wear.
Overall, Ohanian’s tweet shows that there is still much work to be done when it comes to improving gender equity in sports. While issues such as equal pay may get more attention in the media, something as seemingly small as having access to a properly fitting sports bra can make all the difference when it comes to getting more girls involved in athletics. By supporting organizations like The Sports Bra Project, we can all do our part to help level the playing field for female athletes everywhere.