Athletes for Hope would not exist without the drive, passion and dedication by athletes all over the world to make the world a better place. In our Member Athlete Spotlight series, it is our hope that the public will get to know our athletes, learn about the philanthropy and advocacy work they’re doing and understand what motivates them to use their platform for good.
What is your name, sport, team?
Monica Walker, USA Curling National Team (Team Sinclair, Team Walker/Leichter)
What inspired you to give back to your community/commit time to service?
The opening ceremony of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics inspired me to want to be an Olympian, and I think part of being an Olympian is giving back. My inspiration to be a competitive athlete has always been linked with wanting to have a positive impact on the people and communities around me.
What cause(s) are you passionate about? Why?
I am passionate about racial and social justice. My education in gender studies opened my eyes and once I started noticing inequalities, I couldn’t look away without getting involved.
What are some of the things/activities you’ve done in your community in terms of service (AFH related or not)?
I began volunteering with my local curling club in Wayland, Massachusetts about 10 years ago. I served on the Board of Directors and started a Boston area college curling program.
Athletes for Hope has given me opportunities to visit with kids at Children’s Minnesota Hospital in Saint Paul and share some joy. I was fortunate enough to participate in an awesome racial justice training that AFH provided with JenFryTalks.
Lately, I’ve been working on the USA Curling DEI Committee, and I started a National Team athlete group to discuss ongoing issues of social justice with my peers.
Last year, I founded the Global Initiative for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Curling with a Swedish friend. We provide educational webinars and consult with the World Curling Federation to discuss and improve ongoing DEI issues in our sport internationally. You can find us on YouTube or social media @globalcurlingdei.
How has being an athlete helped you give back to your community?
Although curling doesn’t have the viewership that other sports have just yet, as part of the USA Curling National Team, I am privileged to have a platform of influence, particularly on social media, that I don’t believe I would have otherwise. And I plan to use it as much as I can to elevate voices and promote awareness about issues I support.
What was the first moment that you realized the importance of using your platform to give back?
Honestly it could have been Ivan’s first Athletes For Hope presentation to USA Curling back in 2016(?) in Colorado Springs. That was probably my first exposure to the possibility that curling athletes could give back.
What is your advice to other athletes across all levels of sports who are looking to get more involved in community service/giving back?
Going for an Olympic medal requires the help of a lot of people. No one ever said they won gold by themselves. Giving back to others who might not have had the opportunities you did and using your platform to stand up for your values only amplifies your experience as an athlete. For me, getting involved in social justice has renewed my purpose and vision in my sport. I wouldn’t have chosen this lifestyle without the opportunity to give back to others.
What does the future of your charitable involvement look like? What are your long-term goals?
Curling has completely changed my life and helped me learn so much about myself. I will always be involved in the growth of curling in one way or another. My dream is for curling to be accessible to everyone. In the future, I plan to continue my work with the Global Initiative for DEI in Curling & Athletes For Hope and see where that takes me!