Play Like A Girl: Raising Strong, Confident Female Athletes

Did you play sports as a young girl or woman? Co-host Deborah Johnson was encouraged to particpate in sports from an early age. Others, like co-host Mia Jackson, were steered away from sweat, being told that balls were for boys. Now we know better!

The guest on today's show is an accomplished and respected sports professional. Angela Taylor of NetWorks Sports Consulting shares her 17 years of experience. On all levels, Angela's a winner. She's participated and excelled in basketball and business. From on-the-court National Championship Winner with the Stanford Cardinal basketball team to her role as a leader as GM of the Washington Mystics, Angela honed her handling skills. As a visionary, Angela is poised to lead her firm to the top of the sports marketing world. The ascent is something we are excited to watch!

Tonight, she'll join us in a discussion on the impact of sports for girls. Here are some facts collected by the Girls Scouts:

The Girl Scout Research Institute, The New Normal? What Girls Say About Healthy Living (2006)

• The more physically active girls are, the greater their self-esteem and the more satisfied they are with their weight, regardless of how much they weigh. Eighty-three percent of very active girls say that physical activity makes them feel good about themselves.

• For girls ages 11-17 it is the perception of being overweight, not just weight alone, that inhibits participation in sports and physical activities.

• Many girls ages 11–17 say they do not play sports because they do not feel skilled or competent (40%) or because they do not think their bodies look good (23%).