How are we doing in the great debate between diversity vs inclusion when it comes to women’s sports?
Last week, I watched the Walter Cup-clinching game of the inaugural PWHL Finals.
In between bouts of tears (the puck on the bottom of the trophy shattering the glass ceiling did me in) I thought a lot about the difference between diversity, inclusion, and equity.
The fight for equitable representation (and pay) for professional women’s sports has been long and messy. Watching Billie Jean King co-present the Walter Cup to Minnesota Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield hammered home how far we’ve come and how far we have to go.
Since Kristen and I teach and train about DEI all the time, let’s have a refresh.
Diversity is reality: what we mean by this is that diversity of humans cannot be a goal, because diversity already exists.
Therefore, inclusion is the goal. Inclusion is what happens when you create space, opportunities, and platforms for every kind of human.
Diversity is having women’s hockey teams. Women are athletes, women love hockey, and women love to play hockey.
Inclusion is what we witnessed in this first season of the PWHL. Watching professional and PAID women hoist a championship cup over their heads, skating around the ice, and kissing it before handing it off was the perfect visual of what inclusion looks like. These are the key differences when we talk about diversity vs inclusion.
Equity is a long way away for professional women’s sports. But if the WNBA, the NWSL, and the PWHL have shown is that inclusion is possible. It is achievable. And to those who it matters, it’s damn profitable too.
As a hockey fan since birth, I’m only delighted to live in a world where young aspiring hockey players (of any gender) will see the continued success of the PWHL. And hopefully see what’s possible for them too.
Read more about the PWHL HERE.
