It’s game time for San Mateo County’s women athletes as one Burlingame organization sets its eyes on boosting the number of female coaches out on courts and fields this fall through a new mentorship program.
Recognizing the need for more women in leadership roles on and off the field, Baker’s newest mission became clear and the Women’s Coaching Alliance was born. The program will provide aspiring female coaches with two mentors, one with athletic leadership experience and another leading in a different field.
- The Women's Coaching Alliance, founded by Pam Baker in Burlingame, aims to increase the number of female coaches through a new mentorship program.
- Baker's mission was inspired by her passion for uplifting women to leadership roles and honoring her late husband, Doug Friedman, a devoted coach and father to two girls.
- The program provides aspiring female coaches with two mentors: one with athletic leadership experience and another leading in a different field.
- Key figures supporting the Women's Coaching Alliance include Burlingame Councilmember Donna Colson, Stanford University's assistant basketball coach Katy Steding, and other accomplished female athletes and coaches.
- The Women's Coaching Alliance will hold its first Leadership Academy on August 13, 2021, at the Burlingame Community Center, featuring guest speaker Katy Steding and various activities.
- Baker believes the lack of women in leadership positions can be attributed to the different socialization of boys and girls, with boys encouraged to take risks while girls are taught to prepare and "take the backseat."
- The movement aims to help young women realize their potential through female mentorship, enabling them to return the favor to future generations.
- The objective is not to exclude men but to ensure that women have the confidence and support to lead alongside their male counterparts.
