Former Notre Dame women's basketball coach, Muffet McGraw, is using her platform to advocate for gender equality and social justice. McGraw, known for her impressive coaching career at Notre Dame, recently sat down for an interview to discuss her views on various topics, including the lack of equal opportunities for women in America.
During the interview, McGraw highlighted the importance of female role models and the need for more women leaders in positions of power. As the first woman to coach many of her players, she understands the expectations placed on women, such as being compassionate, empathetic, and tough, all while navigating societal expectations.
Drawing from her experiences, McGraw emphasized the need for women to stand up for themselves and not tolerate inequalities. She referred to these inequalities as 'little paper cuts' that women face on a daily basis, ranging from being talked over in meetings to facing discrimination in positions of power.
McGraw made headlines before a game when she addressed gender inequality in sports and beyond. Expressing her frustration with the prevailing novelty of women achieving 'firsts' in various fields, McGraw called for more progress and for women to have equal opportunities. Her passionate speech garnered attention from influential figures like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
The interview also delved into personal experiences that shaped McGraw's perspective, including a narrowly avoided tragedy. McGraw was originally scheduled to be on United Airlines flight 175, which crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Her assistant coach convinced her to change her plans, ultimately saving her life. This experience fostered a deeper appreciation for life and the courage to speak out on important issues.
Having recently stepped down as the head coach at Notre Dame, McGraw plans to continue using her voice to advocate for women's rights, social justice, and the right to choose. Although she expresses a desire to be involved in politics, she hopes to be appointed rather than going through the traditional route of running for office.
The interview concluded with McGraw sharing her thoughts on failure and its role in personal growth and development. She stressed the importance of learning from losses and how failure can teach valuable lessons that are often overlooked in a society obsessed with success.
In light of her insights and experiences, McGraw encourages parents to allow their children to fail and experience adversity. She believes that shielding children from failure hampers their ability to handle challenges, develop resilience, and learn essential life skills.
Through her career and advocacy, Muffet McGraw continues to inspire and challenge societal norms, addressing gender disparities and working towards a more equitable future.
