 Faith & Liberty Honors All-American Swimmer Riley Gaines WASHINGTON, D.C. – Faith & Liberty sponsored the Fairness in Women’s Sports Forum and Luncheon last week including hosting 12-time All American Swimmer Riley Gaines at the Rayburn House Building. Later that evening, Faith & Liberty Vice President Peggy Nienaber presented her with a 2023 “Christian Women of Distinction Award” at the 3rd Annual She Leads America Gala. The Fairness in Women’s Sports Forum facilitated conversations about women in college athletic programs who have lost status, trophies, awards, and even their dignity due to the NCAA allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports. Gaines was one of the first women to speak out against the NCAA, USA Swimming, International Olympic Committee, and other governing bodies after the rules were changed to allow biological male William “Lia” Thomas to compete in the 2022 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships. In the competition, Gaines tied for fifth place with Thomas who took home the trophy while Gaines went home empty-handed.  Fairness in Women’s Sports Forum speakers from left to right: Faith & Liberty Vice President Peggy Nienaber, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America Penny Nance, 12-time All American Swimmer Riley Gaines, and Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist Dr. Madeline Manning Mims.Joining Gaines in the discussions were Dr. Madeline Manning Mims, four-time Olympian and gold and silver medalist in track and field; Penny Nance, CEO and President of the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization known as Concerned Women for America; and Faith & Liberty Vice President Peggy Nienaber. Later in the evening, Gaines was one of 11 women to receive a “Christian Women of Distinction” Award from the nationwide women’s organization She Leads America. The gala took place at the Museum of the Bible where Nienaber presented Gaines the award for her efforts in traveling the nation speaking out about the need to protect women’s spaces, as well as restoring equality and fairness in women’s sports. The award comes with Congressional Recognition for the awardees and their accomplishments are entered in the Congressional Record. Congresswoman Lisa McClain will enter Gaines’ award into the Congressional Record.  Faith & Liberty Vice President Peggy Nienaber (right) presents 12-time All American Swimmer Riley Gaines the 2023 “Christian Women of Distinction Award.”Nienaber said, “The Forum and Luncheon allowed these distinguished and accomplished women to reflect on their athletic careers, talk about the consequences of women losing to biological men in sports, and to discuss the way ahead to restore equality and fairness for women. Riley Gaines is a woman of great strength and courage who is speaking up for all women who have unfairly lost out on the recognition they have deserved, and it was a great honor to present her the ‘Christian Women of Distinction’ Award.” |
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