Katie Ledecky Archives - Athletes for Hope

AFH News

Posted: March 8, 2024 Updated: March 8, 2024 by Hannah Bronkema

AFH’s Influential Olympians

Every year in March, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a time to celebrate women’s achievements and forge a more inclusive world for women of all ages.

From our AFH Founding Athletes and our newly formed Athlete Leadership Council to our Board of Directors, Athletes for Hope is proud to recognize the influential women Olympians of AFH who are passionate about creating a more equitable world in and out of sport.

From supporting young women in sports and creating safe recreational spaces, to STEM education, Title IX, and more, the future is equitable for all.

Mia Hamm

AFH Founding Athlete

Arguably one of the world’s greatest athletes of all time, Mia Hamm’s accolades include 2 Olympic gold medals, 1 Olympic silver medal, 2 FIFA World Cups, 4 NCAA National Championships and AFH’s 2023 Mia Hamm Founding Athlete Award. Aside from her impressive sport resume, in 1999 she created the Mia Hamm Foundation whose mission includes raising funds and awareness for families in need of a marrow or cord blood transplant and the development of opportunities for young women in sports.

The Mia Hamm Foundation is committed to furthering the groundbreaking growth of female participation in sports that has occurred under Title IX, the landmark 1972 legislation that bans sex discrimination in academics and athletics at educational institutions across the country.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

AFH Founding Athlete

Having been named by Sports Illustrated for Women as the ‘Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century,’ it’s no surprise that Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s accolades include 6 Olympic medals and a track and field world record. After she retired from sport, Jackie created the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation which works to ensure that every East St. Louis-area youth is given the opportunity to achieve greatness and succeed in academics, athletics and leadership.

Born and raised in East St. Louis, Jackie is committed to ensuring that all children have access to high-quality after-school programs, safe recreational places within their communities, and caring adults to help them achieve their dreams.

Katie Ledecky

Athlete Leadership Council Member

Katie Ledecky, a ten-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, is recognized as one of the most dominant athletes of all time. Often called the ‘First Lady of Freestyle’, she has broken 16 World Records and 37 American Records in her career. In 2022, she received Athletes for Hope’s Community Hero Award. Out of the pool, Ledecky is an advocate for education, gender equality, and the empowerment of young athletes.

Having been involved in community service since the age of 15, Ledecky is most passionate about education. She has recently partnered with Panasonic and Discovery Education on an equal-opportunity STEM program called STEM Forward. The program encourages young students to get involved in science, technology, engineering and math. To learn more about how Ledecky gives back to her community, click here.

Julie Foudy

AFH Board Member

Julie Foudy is a retired professional soccer player who spent 17 years as a member of the US Women’s National Team, 13 of them as a captain. She is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Olympic Silver Medalist, and two-time Women’s World Cup Champion. Julie finished her National Team career with 45 goals, 59 assists and 272 international appearances (caps) for the USA. Her 272 caps rank third in the world all-time, male or female. She was inducted in the US National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007. A current analyst for ABC/ESPN and the NBC Olympics, director of her Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academies and a motivational speaker, Julie is most proud of the difference she has made off the field.

In 1997, the world governing body of soccer, FIFA, awarded her the FIFA Fair Play Award, the first woman and American to receive the award, for her work against child labor in the stitching of soccer balls. Julie was the President of the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) from 2000-2002, served on the WSF Board of Directors for 7 years and was a WSF advocacy consultant for two years, with a focus on Title IX, childhood obesity, and athletes’ rights issues. She also served as a member for the Commission on Title IX, appointed by President Bush and Secretary Paige and has been honored numerous times for her work on behalf of Title IX.

Benita Fitzgerald Mosely

AFH Board Member

Benita Fitzgerald Mosley is a 15-time All-American, four (4) NCAA titles holder, the first American woman to win gold in the 100-meter hurdles at the 1984 Olympic Games, and also a Gold Medal recipient at the Pan-American Games.

Since turning her focus to sports marketing and administration in the 1990s, Benita served in leadership roles at the Special Olympics, Olympic Games, Women’s Sports Foundation, Women in Cable and Telecommunications, USA Track and Field and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. In 2016, Benita left the USOC and became the CEO of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA, where she was responsible for advancing the Laureus mission to change the lives of youth and strengthen communities through the power of sport. She is the current Chief Executive Officer at Multiplying Good, a nonprofit organization that helps people discover their ability to bring about positive change, deliver the skills they need to do it well, and, by validating their impact, inspire them to do more.

Rachel Godino

AFH Board Member

Rachel Godino competed in the 1992 Olympics in Ice Dancing. In 2000, She was elected by her peers as the Chair of the US Olympic Committee (USOC) Athletes’ Advisory Council. Gidno has also served on the USOC Executive Committee, USOC Board of Directors and Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee Board of Trustees. In 2003, Rachel testified in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce regarding the state of the Olympic movement and governance.

Rachel currently serves on the Sports Advisory Board for the Palm Beach North Athletic Foundation, a non-profit organization that is committed to forging strategic partnerships with individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to further their vision and philosophy of “recreation for all.” Their inclusion of non-traditional sports creates new pathways for college scholarships by building skills in sports that can open doors for students that might otherwise be closed.

From the vision and mission set forth by our AFH Founding Athletes over 17 years ago, Athletes for Hope is committed to creating a more equitable and just future for all, both in and out of sport.

AFH News

Posted: January 31, 2024 Updated: January 31, 2024 by Hannah Bronkema

Athletes for Hope Continues Founders’ Legacies Through Athlete Leadership Council

Over seventeen years ago, a group of elite athletes came together to form the world’s leading sports philanthropy organization, Athletes for Hope (AFH). Since its inception AFH has worked with thousands of athletes worldwide, connecting with a minimum of 5 athletes a day, educating and engaging them on how to make the world a better place.

Among the AFH Founding Athletes was “the Greatest,” Muhammad Ali. Regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century and the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, Ali’s greatest triumphs have taken place outside of the ring as a leader and champion of life.

Through his humanitarian efforts, he has perhaps contributed more than any other athlete to make the world a better place. Recipient of the 1997 Arthur Ashe Courage Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, Muhammad leaves a legacy that continues to inspire people all over the world.

During the month of Ali’s birthday, a symbol of resilience, advocacy, and philanthropy, Athletes for Hope announces its launch of the newly formed Athlete Leadership Council (ALC) that will play a crucial role in carrying forward Ali’s vision by leveraging the influence of athletes to create positive social change.

Spearheaded by esteemed athletes Stephen Curry, Katie Ledecky and Nathan Chen, the ALC is a nod to the AFH Founding Athletes as the generational athletes of today continue on their legacy by inspiring the next generation of sports leaders.

“It means so much to be able to continue the legacy of AFH Founding Athletes like Muhammad Ali, Mia Hamm, Andre Agassi, Alonzo Mourning and others who joined forces to create Athletes for Hope over 17 years ago,” said Stephen Curry, renowned NBA Superstar and Co-Founder of Eat. Learn. Play. “It’s a privilege to carry forward their shared belief that all athletes- no matter what level, background or phase in their career- have the innate ability to make the world a better place.”

The Athlete Leadership Council will focus on collaborative efforts and inspiring the next generation of athletes to address social issues, support charitable causes, and positively engage with communities globally.

AFH remains committed to creating a world where athletes can contribute meaningfully to society beyond their athletic achievements, with a focus on athlete volunteerism and addressing physical health and mental health in communities all over the world.

Athletes for Hope is free of charge to athletes of any level. If you are a current or retired athlete looking to make a difference in your community, we invite you to work with us!

Olympic Athlete Spotlight

Posted: February 10, 2023 Updated: February 11, 2023 by jbelinkie

STEM Leader, Philanthropist and Olympic Gold Medalist

Katie Ledecky is the most decorated female swimmer of all time with seven individual Olympic gold medals and 19 World Championship titles, owning 18 out of 20 of the fastest 1500m freestyle times. She has prioritized community service and giving back throughout her career, earning Athletes for Hope’s 2022 Community Hero Award for her work in communities across the United States.

What inspired you to give back to your community and use your platform for good?

It is important to me to be able to give back to my community, inspire others and be a positive force in the world. As a young swimmer growing up, I never imagined I would be in a position to make a difference. Now, I really try to embrace the opportunities that I have, whether it’s in my community or around the country and even around the world, to try to inspire young athletes or young adults to dream big, go for their goals and to find the things that they’re passionate about and be the best that they can be at those things.

It’s one thing to be recognized for my accomplishments in the pool. But it’s really special to be recognized for what I do outside of it.
Katie Ledecky

When was the first time you got involved in community service?

I got involved in community service after I went to my first Olympics at age 15. When I got back from London I had a lot more opportunities to give back. One of my first visits back in Maryland after winning my first gold medal was to Walter Reed where I met with the Wounded Warriors.

I’ve found that there’s really a power to the gold medal. It can really light up someone’s face. And so if I can make someone smile on any given day, that makes me smile, makes me happy.
Katie Ledecky

What area of service are you most passionate about?

I’m really passionate about education and I love speaking to young students about the importance of education. I work with Panasonic and Discovery Education on an equal-opportunity STEM program called STEM Forward that encourages young students to get involved in science, technology, engineering and math.

Any opportunity I have in life to inspire young kids to pursue their passions, especially in STEM education, I’m going to take it. Whether students use STEM skills for better problem-solving or critical thinking in life, or for a future career, it’s important that they have equal access to help propel them forward.
Katie Ledecky

What are some other community service initiatives you are involved in?

I am a huge advocate for teaching others how to swim and making sure that as many young kids learn how to swim as possible because the drowning rate is still way too high. I enjoy visiting children’s hospitals whether it is in-person or a virtual visit. I also support organizations like Bikes For The World and the Wounded Warrior Project as well as Shepherd’s Table.

I try to help out in my community as much as I can. I think all athletes, no matter the level that they’re at, have the opportunity to give back and to help others.
Katie Ledecky

*photos courtesy of Panasonic