Steward Speakers hosted Olympian and track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee along with Jacqie McWilliams, the commissioner for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, at the NCAA Hall of Champions March 21. The 2024 Steward Speakers’ theme is Sports and Education.
“Each year, we recognize the valuable contributions of women across our country. We are excited to host Ms. Joyner-Kersee and Ms. McWilliams during our annual celebration of Women’s History Month,” said President Matthew Steward.
During the talk, moderated by Maurice Meriweather, Joyner-Kersee and McWilliams spoke to the audience about their success, upbringing and careers in sports and business.
Named “The Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century” by Sports Illustrated, Joyner-Kersee made history in track and field by winning three gold, one silver and two bronze medals in the heptathlon and long jump at the Olympics. Her world record of 7,293 points in the heptathlon is undefeated, and her long jump distance in the 1994 Olympics is the second longest in history.
“For me, no one could outwork me, period, that was the mindset. If I show up for practice, I practice to be the best, and the best might not be winning, but knowing that I gave my best and being consistent with what I was doing,” Joyner-Kersee said.
To achieve success, Joyner-Kersee said she pushed through adversities like her battle with asthma and caring for her mental health as a Black woman in sports during a time when it was not normal to vocalize mental challenges.
McWilliams, the first woman to serve as commissioner of the CIAA, was also the first appointed African American commissioner representing the NCAA in Divisions I, II and III. During her nine years in these roles, she has managed NCAA Divisions I, II and III Championships and the men’s and women’s Division I basketball tournaments, commonly known as March Madness.
“We probably have stories from growing up and playing on the playground and the boys won’t let you play until they actually see that you can play, and you’re always just trying to find your way to the table,” Mcwilliams said of her early experiences with breaking barriers in sports and business.
“I think that’s what happens now as Black women in leadership, that we’re still having to navigate in the same way and it’s not our problem, it’s the problem of the people who don’t want to let us in,” Mcwilliams said.
Rounding out the evening, Steward Speakers recognized 10 history-making Indianapolis women including medical experts, educators and civic leaders.
The mission of the Steward Speakers series is to inform, inspire and invoke action by fostering meaningful dialogue and cultural exchanges. The next speaker is NFL Hall of Famer and current University of Colorado football coach Deion Sanders at Lucas Oil Stadium April 11. Tickets are available at https://www.stewardspeakers.org/events/2023-24-steward-speaker-season.
Contact Racial Justice Reporter Garrett Simms at 317-762-784
