Give young girls a chance to become the next soccer champions

As the saying goes, “if you see it, you can be it.”

As the executive director of Girls in the Game, an organization that has empowered girls through sports and leadership programs for 25 years, I can definitively say that Chicago’s girls saw their futures in this year’s inspirational U.S. women’s soccer team.

Our 2019 World Cup champions showed young women that with hard work, perseverance and a love for each other and of the game, they can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.

But it’s not enough to tells girls they can be anything. We need to help them get there. For girls from the most underserved communities, it’s not a matter of will, but access.

They can dream of playing in the World Cup, but they need a field to play on first.

Programs like ours, that bring opportunities for sports and leadership development to schools, are vital. We must also provide access to free, safe places to play, and ensure that girls’ sports programs have the same priority as other programs.

With the opening of Sterling Bay’s Fleet Fields at Lincoln Yards, we’re seeing the community driven approach Chicago needs to provide more opportunities for young female athletes. It’s the first step of a larger plan to provide more public recreational space to inspire future athletes and leaders.

Once Fleet Fields opens, we will no doubt see girls and boys from around the city sporting jerseys with names like “Rapinoe” and “Morgan.” When we invest in improving kids’ access to opportunity at an early age, we are investing in and inspiring the next generation of champions.

Meghan Morgan, executive director
Girls in the Game

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Parking fees and fines

Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants to reinstate the 15-day grace period to renew stickers and cap the fine for not renewing a sticker. She wants to create a 6-month payment plan for those who have outstanding penalties and fines. All of these benefits will go to people who don’t follow the law.

What benefit is Mayor Lightfoot giving to those citizens who do follow the law and purchase their stickers on time?

Janice Montgomery, Clearing

Forest Preserve ticket fiasco

Shame on Commissioner Luis Arroyo! Mr. “Do you know who I am?” was breaking the law by parking in a handicapped spot and doesn’t deserve intervention.

If he was such a “Do you know who I am?,” he easily could easily afford to pay the $250 ticket, because he’s probably making a six-figure salary for doing nothing.

Pat Sobolewski, Bucktown