Lily Mullens
Roanoke College, Virginia
Lily Mullens is a junior at Roanoke College and the dedicated captain of the women’s swim team. Her leadership was put to the test when her team was informed that a trans athlete, who had previously competed on the men’s team, would be joining their women’s team. Thrust into the center of the controversy, Lily played a key role in navigating her team’s concerns about fairness and the integrity of their sport.
Despite meetings with coaches and administrators, the situation left Lily and her teammates feeling unsupported and vulnerable. The emotional strain of managing both team dynamics and the pressure surrounding the issue took a toll, but Lily’s commitment to her team’s values remained strong. In October 2023, she and nine of her teammates bravely spoke out at a press conference, standing up for the integrity of women’s sports.
Lily’s advocacy is driven by a deep sense of responsibility to protect future generations of female athletes. She believes in the power of courage and is determined to inspire others to stand up for fairness in women’s sports.
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