HARRISBURG – Lawmakers from Blair, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin counties are joining together in support of women’s rights and female athletes across Pennsylvania and encourage their constituents to become part of the Defending Our Daughters campaign.
The lawmakers include Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and Reps. Jesse Topper (R-78), Scott Barger (R-80), Rich Irvin (R-81), David Rowe (R-85), Perry Stambaugh (R-86) and Kerry Benninghoff (R-171).
“We cannot rest until every female athlete in Pennsylvania is guaranteed safe, fair and equal athletic competition, safe locker room spaces, and the numerous opportunities that sports provide,” said Ward. “Through joining together and signing this promise, we are telling those who would put every female at risk that it is time to put partisan politics aside and do what’s right for all the daughters across the commonwealth.”
“Safety, fairness, and equity are the cornerstones of athletic competition, and we should be doing everything we can as lawmakers to ensure female athletes are guaranteed these fundamentals of sport,” Topper said. “I am supporting the ‘I Believe Promise’ because it is time for all those with a say in the development of athletic policy get off the sidelines and start defending our daughters in their athletic pursuits and the opportunities they provide.”
“It is important Gov. Josh Shapiro and House Democrats hear directly from the majority of Pennsylvanians who want them to take a stand in support of female athletes,” said Barger. “Staff in my offices are available to help petition signers.”
“Ensuring fair competition for female athletes is a fundamental responsibility,” said Irvin. “This is not a partisan issue—it is about upholding Title IX protections and guaranteeing equal opportunities for women across the Commonwealth.”
“The ‘I Believe’ promise represents something personal to every Pennsylvanian who puts their name to it,” said Rowe. “The signatures on this petition represent concerned parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, and so many others. Now is the time to stand united on this largely bipartisan issue to advocate for the future of female athletics. Women and girls in Pennsylvania deserve every opportunity to compete on a level playing field.”
“By standing together and signing this pledge, we are sending a clear message that partisan politics must take a back seat to doing what’s right to protect female athletes across Pennsylvania,” Stambaugh said.
“Allowing men to compete in women’s sports goes against Title IX, which was created in part more than 50 years ago to open doors for female athletes,” said Benninghoff. “An overwhelming number of Pennsylvanians have voiced their opposition to allowing genetic males into girls’ locker rooms and onto playing fields where women are competing against women. The Defending Our Daughters campaign offers one more opportunity for them to have their voices heard.”
This session, Ward and the other female Republican senators spearheaded the Save Women’s Sports Act in the Senate and introduced Senate Bill 9, which passed the Senate with overwhelming, bipartisan support in May. This legislation was then referred to the House Education Committee, where House Democrats have since used parliamentary maneuvers and political tricks such as re-referrals to irrelevant committees to avoid votes on Senate Bill 9. Senate Bill 9 currently sits in the House Judiciary Committee. Other legislation aimed at protecting women’s sport has so far suffered the same fate. House Bills 158 and 1849 were also initially referred to the Education Committee but were re-referred to Judiciary in December, also to avoid discharge resolutions that would force a vote on the bills.
At www.defendingdaughters.com individuals can sign the I Believe promise and send a clear message that the rights of female athletes to safe and fair competition, private spaces, scholarships and medals, and the protections provided by Title IX matter.
Contact:
Nathan Akers (J. Ward)
717.787.5490