So, growing the network of women who can impact their local communities and continue to grow our numbers. We need to have a seat at every decision making table in soccer and also, globally in the US, we are ahead of the game with women and girls playing and coaching. This summer I travelled to Zimbabwe and Zambia to work with coaches there. I met very amazing women who are stepping way out of the cultural norms to coach and play. Anything I can do to help, I will.
What opportunities have you created for women in soccer?
I think that it is my duty to push other women to do things out of their comfort zone. To help lend support when others are feeling tired of the battle and to continue to be active on committees and promote other women. I have three women besides myself on my club staff and I am bringing in another female next season. I have four other women on my high school staff. For me, as a female boss, it is important to hire females and mentor them.
What advice do you have for girls/women in soccer?
Have grit. My motto for my new company is “All Grit, Never Quit.” And I think that has to be within your underlying qualities. As women, we are in the minority in coaching. Refereeing and decision making even though we make up half of the numbers of girls and women that play. That number can grow and it’s up to the women currently in the game to find former players to fill our shoes, so that when we phase out we have strong women behind us.
Where can one reach you with questions?
Any personal shout outs?
Flint, Mi, University of Michigan soccer, my parents, Mike Schultz, Betty and Dick Ramsdell, Ricky McQueary, Char Farrar, Jan Haffner, Larry Hulburt, Linda Hamilton, Peter Gaglioti, Matt Dyson, Ralph Perez, all my teammates over the years, pantsuit nation, my Friday women’s group, Karla Thompson, John Thomas, Dr. Quinn, Brett Thompson, Sam Snow, my staff that pushes me to be better, Nora Dooley, Soccer Nation, Football.com, CAC, WSI, LNYSA, and LUFC.
Why is it so important to have girls/women empowering others in soccer?
It’s up to us. No one is going to empower and push for bigger numbers for us. We have to take ownership of helping ourselves and given the climate of the nation now, it is even more important than ever.