By Anne White
Grace Farms will celebrate International Women’s Day with Beyond the Game, a special program focused on the future of women in sports, featuring three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings. The event, set for Saturday, March 8, 2025, will bring together leading voices in the sports industry to discuss the progress of women’s athletics and the opportunities ahead for female athletes and professionals.
Walsh Jennings will be joined by Danette Leighton, CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation, and Jasmine Robinson, Co-Founder of Monarch Collective, a firm dedicated to investing in women’s sports. The conversation will be moderated by Karen Kariuki, Grace Farms’ Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives.
The event follows a volleyball clinic led by Walsh Jennings, where middle and high school girls will have the opportunity to learn from the decorated Olympian.
A Platform for Change in Women’s Sports
The discussion will address key issues surrounding women’s sports, including increased visibility, funding, and the expansion of professional opportunities. Walsh Jennings, a household name in beach volleyball, has been a vocal advocate for female athletes and equal opportunities in sports.
Leighton, whose organization champions gender equity in athletics, brings decades of experience working to expand opportunities for women and girls in sports. Robinson, through Monarch Collective, has been instrumental in channeling investment into women’s sports, signaling a shift toward a more sustainable and profitable landscape for female athletes.
The panel aims to highlight both the challenges and the momentum behind women’s athletics. Topics will include the growth of women’s professional leagues, sponsorship opportunities, and the role of advocacy in shaping the future of sports.
A Unique Opportunity for Young Athletes
The volleyball clinic preceding the panel will offer young athletes hands-on instruction from Walsh Jennings, who has competed in five Olympic Games and remains a powerful figure in her sport. The clinic is designed to inspire and equip young players with skills and confidence both on and off the court.
Saturday, March 8, 2025; Volleyball clinic in the afternoon, panel discussion from 4–5 PM at Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Rd, New Canaan and tickets are $12 general admission and $10 for Grace Farms members.
Grace Farms, a cultural and humanitarian center in New Canaan, is dedicated to fostering community engagement across sectors, including sports, justice, and human rights. More information can be found at gracefarms.org.
