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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-04-05, Page 66' Signal Star • Wednesday, April 5, 2017 opin l www.goderichsig€gal Aisaimmaatib Signal -Star Standing up for equality VOL 26 — ISSUE 10 PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 Signal Star Publishing 120 Huckins St. Goderich ON N7A 3X8 519-524-2614 www.goderichsignalstar.com POSTMEDIA JOHN BAUMAN Group Manager, Media Sales jbauman@postmedia.com ext. 232 JANET SHRIER Office Manager jashrier@postmedia.com ext. 220 SUSAN MCINTOSH Sales smcintosh@postmedia.com ext. 228 TARA CORRAN Sales tcorran@postmedia.com ext. 230 STACEY SCOTT Inside Sales sscott@postmedia.com ext. 229 RHONDA BUTT Accounting rhbutt@postmedia.com MARY JOHNSTON Accounts Receivable majohnston@postmedia.com CURTIS ARMSTRONG Group Director of Media Sales 519 376-2250 ext. 514301 or 510 364-2001 ext. 531024 Editorial Deadline - Friday 2 p.m. Advertising booking deadline - Friday 1:30 p.m. SUBSCRIPTION RATES ADVANCE: • Regular $50.00 includes GST (12 months) Seniors $50.00 includes GST (14 months) US $249.00 plus GST Foreign $416.40 plus GST Single Copy $1.50 includes GST Publications Mail Agreement' No.40064683 RETURN UNDENERABI-E CANADIAN ADDRESSES: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 120 Huckins St, Goderich ON N7A 3X8 For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: 519-524-2614 Goderich Signal Star' is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. 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We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. ocna anaaa How the US women's if national hockey team is taking strides towards equality in a male dominated sport Kathleen Smith Goderich Signal Star In the weeks leading up to the 2017 IIHF Women's Hockey Championship, hosted in Plym- outh, Michigan, several members of the US Women's National team took a stand. Fighting for equality on several planes, not just focusing on equal pay, the women on the USA hockey team nearly boycotted the interna- tional tournament on home soil. As someone who has personal experience in the world of professional women's ice hockey, or as professional as it can get, I commend the actions that took place a few weeks ago. I do not want to confuse anyone - I am well aware of the opportunities that elite women's hockey has offered to me, as it has the members of national teams, and the incredi- ble life experiences to be gained through such opportunities. The difference here is that stand- ing up for equality has absolutely no connection to how grateful one is. When you have a full scope on your worth, and in turn see the members of the male teams being offered benefits and salaries far beyond what is earned by female teams, it leaves a bitter taste. Are women of the same calibre, in the same sport, not worth the same amount in medical coverage? In salary? In representation at a new national team jersey revealing? As a female hockey player who, if given the chance to have a career as a professional player, would have accepted without batting an eye, this topic makes me proud that such strides are being taken to legitimize and equalize the profes- sionalism for women in hockey. It is frustrating that the public do not seem to understand how diffi- cult it is being a female profes- sional athlete. Former Canadian player Cassie Campbell-Pascall was not sur- prised that the American women's team contemplated a boycott. "They aren't asking for anything crazy. They want more medical Team USA warming up for their game against Russia: coverage. They want things like that. They want - when you unveil a new USA Hockey jersey - to at least have a woman there, too': There is some money, but the women who not only have to train excessively on and off ice to remain in top shape, also need to have a career in something other than their already full time gig as a member on the national team. The members of the US National Team, as well as the members of other teams such as Canada, Swe- den and Germany, are role models to young female hockey players around the world. To stand up and push for equal- ity in a male dominated sport, shows the younger players with goals to one day have the honour to play for their country, that you should never settle. It should never be 'enough' or' `better than other people have it; because to understand one's worth and then to stand up and threaten to not take part on an international stage, takes courage and these are actions to be admired. When playing overseas in Ger- many, it was amazing what the team I played -for could organize and offer me. I felt ecstatic that I was able to work, on top of training and playing for an incredible team, and grateful for the opportunity to travel Europe because of hockey. I travelled to the tournament this past weekend and was able to watch a few games and reconnect with former team mates from Ger- many. The statement made by the USA players had an impact on other international players. Forward for Team Germany, Nicola Eisenschmid believed this r Posters for the 2017 IIHF Women's World Championships in Plymouth, Michigan. WELCOMEI IIHF 2017 raft ICE HOCKEY �* e'Z WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNITED STATES41!" Plymouth. MI 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship Tournament held at USA Hockey Arena, in Plymouth, Michigan. near boycott was important for female athletes no matter which country they represent. "I think it was important for all women and young girls in the hockey world to show that women are equal to men, and it is time for equality': That being stated, there was a stark difference between what the men received in not only recogni- tion, but also in monetary funds and salaries, which was ironic con- sidering the women's team was far more successful. This isn't just about success. This is a constant struggle for many minorities, and yes, women are a minority in the professional world,. whether in the office or in sport. Was it disrespectful and the wrong time for the members of the US National Team to threaten to boycott the American hosted international tournament? Perhaps. Depends which spectrum on this issue one lands on. I believe it was perfectly timed. Standing up and fighting for equality, which has been happen- ing since the 1998 Nagano Olym- pics with Cammie Granato, weeks before the tournament, was the catalyst for change and for contin- ued discussion on equality. It was perfectly timed in accord- ance to the constant uneasiness and political upheaval happening in the US - Women's March, Day Without a Woman, etc. This.was the right time, and held the perfect effect to show that the voices of those who deserve more and are fighting for more will never quiet down or go away. (With notes from Steve Ewen, Van- couver Sun/Postmedia Network). LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Signal Star welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include the writer's full name, address, daytime phone number and signature (for verifica- tion). Anonymous letters will not be published. We reserve the right to edit all editorial submissions including letters for clarification, style and length. 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