Muffet McGraw is the head women's basketball coach over at the University of Notre Dame. This past Friday night, her team secured a spot in the NCAA championship game.
However, after the game, a somewhat controversial decision by McGraw was asked about by a reporter, shifting the conversation from her team's win to gender inequity.
The policy is, McGraw does not hire male coaches.
The moment was captured on video.
Coach @MuffetMcGraw has always been about empowering women. Today was no different. #GoIrish https://t.co/yOiwwFBS65— Notre Dame WBB (@Notre Dame WBB) 1554403070.0
She starts by pointing out that the Equal Rights Amendment was introduced in 1967, and still has not been ratified.
She then explains...
"We've had a record number of women in office and winning, and still we have 23 per cent of the House and 25 per cent of the Senate."
"I'm getting tired of the novelty of the first female governor of this state, the first female African-American mayor of this city. When is it going to become the norm instead of the exception?"
Then, she addresses the question head on.
"We don't have enough visible women leaders. We don't have enough women in power. Girls are socialized to know that when they come out, gender roles are already set."
"Men run the world. Men have the power. Men make the decisions. It's always the man that is the stronger one. And when these are coming out, who are they looking up to to tell them that's not how it has to be. And where better to do that than in sports?"
People were inspired:
@ndwbb @MuffetMcGraw PREACH. I currently coach a boys’ team and I’m always asked - what experience do you have coac… https://t.co/bWwtF4TCKc— Odette (@Odette) 1554415263.0
@ndwbb @MuffetMcGraw Muffet came with #receipts and #facts...take notes people— 🏀🎧Godmother👑Glamma(queen/your highness) (@🏀🎧Godmother👑Glamma(queen/your highness)) 1554404806.0
@ndwbb @MuffetMcGraw A true treasure to the world, hope she coached forever— Dos Leprechauns (@Dos Leprechauns) 1554408465.0
@ndwbb @MuffetMcGraw Shout it, Coach.#WITHYOU— The Fearless Coach (@The Fearless Coach) 1554421544.0
They appreciated her message.
@ndwbb @MuffetMcGraw This became required watching for our entire family tonight. TY @MuffetMcGraw— Sarah Bosslet (@Sarah Bosslet) 1554423670.0
@ndwbb @MuffetMcGraw Muffet 2020 🇺🇸🇺🇸 😍— Emily Langford (@Emily Langford) 1554415840.0
@ndwbb @MuffetMcGraw You are such a great role model. Keep doing all that you do for women. My daughter is a 2012 N… https://t.co/ECFnD7TwPC— Nancy Fuhrman (@Nancy Fuhrman) 1554407809.0
@ndwbb @MuffetMcGraw What an amazing representative of ND. Best Coach on Campus.....thanks for making us proud aga… https://t.co/w6kQ5Fy1fy— SAAI (@SAAI) 1554430852.0
McGraw's team at University of Notre Dame will play against Baylor for the championship this coming Sunday.