Laphonza Butler

There's no question that we as a society judge women candidates differently. There are some serious double standards that men simply don't face, like questions about their parenting or attacks on things like ambition or being demanding or hard to work for.

Through grit and determination, the legendary Muhammad Ali made a lasting impact fighting for humanitarian rights and racial justice and I can think of no better way to close out Black History Month than by honoring his legacy.

Accessing mental health care and support has become increasingly difficult in nearly every state in the country. Barriers get even more difficult if you are a young person who lacks a supportive community or is fearful of being outed, harassed, or threatened.

I want to be sure that we continue to uplift and empower Black communities not just in February, but every day and every month, and that we commit ourselves to advancing true equality and opportunity for all Americans.

Let us celebrate the transformative power of sports and its unique ability to instill intuition, conviction, and courage into women and girls across our nation.

For generations, Black women have been at the very center of social change. Our fingerprints can be found on every movement from abolition, to suffrage, to civil rights to the modern-day fight for Black lives.