Megan Rapinoe named one of TIME’s Women of the Year for 2023
TIME to host the second annual TIME Women of the Year Gala on International Women’s Day, March 8, in Los Angeles, CA.
The 2023 TIME Women of the Year list includes: soccer player and champion of equal pay Megan Rapinoe. actor and UNHCR ambassador Cate Blanchett, actor Angela Bassett, environmental and human rights defender Ayisha Siddiqa, musical artist Phoebe Bridgers, writer, producer, and actor Quinta Brunson, professional boxer and refugee advocate Ramla Ali, Iranian dissident and journalist Masih Alinejad, activist and leader of war efforts for women and LGBTQI communities in Ukraine Olena Shevchenko, incoming CEO of Suntory Beverages Makiko Ono, reproductive rights activist Verónica Cruz Sánchez and Brazil’s Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco.
How many soccer stars are honored with the coveted title of FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, two World Cups (in 2015 and 2019), the Golden Ball award for being the top player in the World Cup and now earning her place as TIME Magazine’s Woman of the Year? Although personal recognition has never been a motivating force for Megan Rapinoe, this world class soccer star and role model has now earned more titles than most celebrities.
Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC) of the United States during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Final match between USA and The Netherlands at Stade de Lyon on July 7, 2019 in Lyon, France. Editorial credit: Jose Breton- Pics Action / Shutterstock.com
After a protracted fight for equal pay with U.S. Soccer, Megan Rapinoe showed that determination, persistence and sheer fortitude on and off the soccer field pays off … and she now receives the global recognition she so well deserves.
READ: Megan Rapinoe Won Equal Pay. Now She Wants to Win Her Last World Cup
As a player, Rapinoe is a force on the field at OL Reign competing in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as well as on the U.S. Women’s National Team. As Rapinoe prepares for the next and perhaps her final World Cup this summer in Australia and New Zealand at age 37, she is far from a relic on the pitch.
Known and not always liked for her colorful swagger and outspoken no-nonsense, no fear approach to challenges deemed unfair, Rapinoe has blazed a trail wide and far … one that is easy to follow and impossible to duplicate. Never daunted or visibly intimidated, Rapinoe helped lead a battle for equal pay that will benefit generations and was long overdue. Shinning a light on the untenable treatment of women in soccer, Rapinoe and her teammates made history with collective-bargaining agreements enforcing equal pay, including identical compensation for all soccer competitions, including the FIFA World Cup.
Discover more about Megan Rapinoe on U.S. Soccer’s profile page.
Editorial credit to top image of Megan Rapinoe: Romain Biard / Shutterstock.com
