Task Force on Women in Sports to be Funded Independently

Michigan Women Forward to serve as fiscal agent

LANSING — December 17, 2019 – Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson today announced that the Task Force on Women in Sports will partner with Michigan Women Forward to seek independent funding in 2020. The task force is chaired by Secretary Benson and housed within the Department of State. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer created the panel by executive order in June.

womeninsports“Our first-of-its-kind task force, focused on the expanding opportunities for women in all aspects of sports, has enormous potential to move the needle in Michigan and nationally,” Benson said. “And this is everybody’s fight. Partnering with Michigan Women Forward will enable us to build public private partnerships, expand our reach, and engage the philanthropic community in supporting our work.”

The task force – the first of its kind at a state government level – brings together local and national leaders to develop strategies that support and promote opportunities in Michigan for girls and women in sports. Through the partnership with Michigan Women Forward, the 501c3 organization will serve as fiscal agent and receive and administer all funds donated to the task force.

“I am thrilled that Michigan Women Forward can continue to support the important work of this task force,” said Carolyn Cassin, president and CEO of Michigan Women Forward and a member of the task force. “I applaud Secretary Benson’s leadership in helping level the playing field for Michigan women and girls.”

The new partnership with Michigan Women Forward is in addition to an ongoing collaboration between the task force and the Women’s Sports Foundation. In addition to Secretary Benson, the task force is comprised of 14 members and 16 advisory members. More information, including a list of all members, is available in the About section of the Michigan.gov/SOS website.