Play It Forward: How Women Changed Sports to Change the World

by TOGETHXR n/a, Alex Morgan (foreword)

Everyone Watches Women’s Sports New from TOGETHXR—the sports media company that coined the defining statement setting the sports world on fire—this inspiring collection of stories shines a light on the grit, smarts, and determination of record-setting and boundary-breaking female athletes around the world and across sports. Play It Forward features twenty‑five inspirational stories of badass women from all corners of the sports universe, curated by TOGETHXR, a sports media company founded by legends Sue Bird, Alex Morgan, Simone Manuel, and Chloe Kim. From profiles of professional athletes and Olympians at the top of their game to everyday women putting in the work without a crowd, these are true tales of fierce competitors, dedicated teammates, and passionate advocates who are all too accustomed to hearing the word “no.” Each story highlights an inspiring athlete or team who is defying expectations and rebelling against inequality in big and small ways, Indigenous women forming a softball team in Mexico Older women finding friendship and purpose through competitive swimming A woman mountain-climbing her way out of oppression in Afghanistan WNBA players developing a voice for social justice and influencing a pivotal election Incarcerated women playing soccer to prepare for life after release For sports fans of all ages, Play it Forward celebrates and elevates the gutsy true stories of activists and dreamers who are changing the game, and the world of sports, for the better. WORLD’S GREATEST A foreword and afterword by world-class athletes and Olympians Alex Morgan and Sue Bird set the stage and offer key context for this inspirational collection of stories of women who are defying the odds and breaking the rules.   STORIES FROM ACROSS WOMEN'S TOGETHXR created the viral sensation "Everyone Watches Women Sports" that caught fire during the record-breaking NCAA 2024 Women's Basketball Tournament. Their ongoing mission is to elevate women's sports coverage in a space where culture, activism, lifestyle, and sports converge. In this powerhouse book, TOGETHXR gathers celebrity and everyday stories to create a breadth of inspiration from powerful women across a range of sports, from basketball, soccer, and hockey to swimming, gymnastics, rowing, and professional bowling. CELEBRATION OF ATHLETES AT ALL These stories will appeal to generations of sports fans—from those who fought the early battles of Title IX to young women just lacing up their sneakers, ready to take on the world. ENGAGING The stories are contemporary and underreported features covering athletes and teams that will be new to many readers. The essays are all written by acclaimed female and nonbinary journalists from around the world. ULTIMATE GIFT FOR This is a perfect present for women to give mom to daughter, daughter to mom, grandmother to granddaughter, friend to friend, and many more. Perfect Athletes and sports enthusiasts Parents, coaches, teachers, mentors Viewers of college and pro sports, the Women's World Cup, and the Olympics Fans of books about current events, feminism, or strong women Readers of Strong is the New Pretty and the Rebel Girls series Birthday, Mother’s Day, holiday, or graduation gifts for teens and adults Resource for celebrating International Women's Day and International Women in Sports Day

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Womens

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2025

Reviews

[Mary Gael · Rating 5 out of 5]

the way that the patriarchy keeps women down in every area is so immensely depressing and the reality of the world reverting to those patriarchal norms is seriously bleak and this book unfortunately reminded me of how much men systematically hate women and cause untold suffering because they... can? barring women from sports, refusing to allow them access to sports journalism, refusing to pay them what they are owed, or even commenting on countless instagram posts/online articles that no one cares about women's sports or that they don't deserve equal pay... it is exhausting. but women's sports are extremely empowering and the strides that women have made globally are important - in many ways it may seem like the band playing as the titanic of gender equality is sinking but sports can be the great equalizer and if we can continue to make strides in prioritizing women's sports maybe we can reverse the great evil that has been done in this world

[Annalyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It’s important to pass along the triumphs of amazing women athletes, because it’s a crucial part of history that is often overlooked, undercelebrated, and more often than not, unrecognized. Only by sharing these specific stories do we change that overall narrative.”

“In the end, his opinion doesn’t matter much. Women don’t need men’s approval or acceptance in sports or anywhere else. They keep kicking ass regardless”

I love this book, and I think everyone should read it. It’s super inspiring and provides a much overdo spotlight on how strong and powerful women are. It reminds women to keep being themselves regardless of how anyone, especially men, may try to diminish your accomplishments. I appreciate the intersectional approach used in multiple chapters and I think it is overall a really empowering book.

[TL Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short overviews of some influential women athletes. I think this would be best for a middle school athlete (male or female) or folks interested in sport. The vignettes are interesting, but short and left me wanting more detail. Very easy short read overall.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women's athletics are finally getting the attention they deserve and I am here for it. A terrific collection of essays highlighting women across the world of sports and sharing their challenges and accomplishments.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. Easy read, diverse women in diverse sports, can't complain.

[Jayme · Rating 5 out of 5]

The easiest 5 star I’ve given this year, I loved it.

[Crystal Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short articles about female athletes written from the lens of celebrating milestones. It’s kind of depressing so took me a while to get though it.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. I love the stories but they seemed more like magazine articles. The stories were good but we could have used less stories but with more details.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent collective biography of women who changed sports and thus changed the world in some way. Photo and several page biography of each highlights all kinds of sports, not just the popular ones in a well organized and intentional focus on building up women in sports and then dives deeper into topics that are treated as taboo or inconsequential from pregnancy during professional spots to sexuality (appearing straight though the woman was gay), overcoming cultural norms that told women they couldn't play, how they healed through sports like sailing, rowing, running, etc., and discovering their own strength.

It went deeper than many books do when it comes to women in sports. I truly loved what this one did here.