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April 15, 2022
As part of the prestigious 2022 ESPYS Awards presented by ESPN, the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award will once again celebrate the legendary sports icon’s commitment to leadership and service. It is awarded to US high school and college-aged students who, like Billie Jean King, are using the power of sports to improve their communities. Honorees of the Award — which was created in 2019 — will be recognized during the televised special in mid-July. Applications are open through May 20.
This year in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the landmark Title IX legislation passage in the US, ESPN will recognize five young women who are using the power of sports to improve their communities by advancing gender equality through the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award.
In order to be eligible, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident 25 years of age or under and identify as a girl or young woman. Click here to begin your application or to find out more information on the Award, including the in-depth eligibility criteria.
This year’s Award will commemorate the 1972 federal civil rights law that prohibits gender-based discrimination in ‘any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance’ and ultimately gave women and girls equal opportunities in sport and other areas. Despite ongoing legal attempts to diminish its power, Title IX continues to provide these protections today. Since Title IX’s passage, female participation at the high school level has grown by 1057% and by 614% at the college level.
Title IX passed on June 23, 1972 and states that no one in the US will be excluded from programs or denied the proper benefits for programs ‘on the basis of sex’. Berniece Sandler, known as the godmother of the legislation, stated that “Title IX is probably the most important law passed for women and girls in Congress since [white] women obtained the right to vote in 1920.”
This year, the Award winners will receive some incredible opportunities:
• Be honored during the ESPYS, joining the incredible winners and honorees of other
prestigious awards, including the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.
• Receive either a one-time $10,000 college academic scholarship or direct a grant to an eligible
non-profit aligned with her/their work.
• Participate in experiential learning and development programs over the next year to receive
mentoring and leadership coaching, while engaging with senior leaders in the sport industry and attending sport-for-development workshops.
• Meet and learn from tennis legend and social activist, Billie Jean King.
• Join the award’s alumni program — a powerful network of young leaders using the power of sports to create social good in their communities.
Applications close May 20. If you have any questions, please send a message to [email protected].
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