Hope Solo, US Soccer goalkeeper and Olympic gold medalist, visited the University of Colorado to speak about gender equality and equal pay in the sports world. She sat down with approximately 200 students and staff, including members of an Intro to Sports Governance class and the women’s soccer team.

After winning the 2015 World Cup, Solo and her teammates began the “Equal Play, Equal Pay” campaign, demanding that women receive the same pay and benefits as men. While the campaign has produced a lot of support, the new collective bargaining agreement, signed in 2017, is still extremely lacking in creating equal benefits for the women.

“We’re on the precipice of global change,” Solo said. “But it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take a few years.”

Solo challenged students to follow their passions and become a part of the movement in whatever way they desire.

“Anyone can be an activist.”

After the lecture, Solo stuck around to meet with students and answer questions.