Speaking to a crowd of nearly 600 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich on Thursday for the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Fund for Women and Girls’ Annual luncheon, former U.S. women’s national soccer team player Abby Wambach addressed a number of topics, ranging from her most memorable moments in her soccer career to her most recent off-the-field incident.
The fundraiser, which celebrates difference makers for women and girls in Fairfield County, gave a warm welcome to Wambach as she took the stage for a moderated discussion. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion commended the continuing work towards equality in the area, but not before clearing the air about her DUI arrest last Sunday in Portland, Ore.
“I’ve learned a lot this week,” said Wambach. “It’s been embarrassing and shameful in a lot of ways.”
When asked if she would change anything about her most recent past, Wambach didn’t hesitate to clarify where her frustration lies.
“I wouldn’t change anything,” said Wambach. “Everything that we do is part of who we are. Every decision we make makes us who we are. I’m not ashamed of who I am. I’m ashamed of some of the decisions that I’ve made.”
Wambach had scheduled appearances at the University of Kentucky, Penn State University and in Greenwich before her run in with the law, but she has stayed committed to each appearance and tackled each question just like the all-time leading scorer in international soccer history would—head-on.
The theme of the luncheon was “Women & Girls = Strength, Resilience, Power,” but Wambach described the local equality support and efforts as “badass.”
“Everything about this luncheon has inspired me,” Wambach said. “Just to know that small and big communities can actually have a massive impact, these are the kind of luncheons that are just so spectacular.”
The equality advocate added, “Mistakes are sometimes the best things that can ever happen to you as people.”
Young soccer players were able to take pictures and get autographs from Wambach at the event, and she passionately urged those in attendance to learn from her own recent experience.
“It’s my hope that everyone in this room, from children, young adults and adults, learns from other people’s mistakes,” said Wambach. “Please learn from this one.”
In the midst of the moderated discussion, female youth soccer players from the area were given the opportunity to ask Wambach a question. She used the final question of the four to address how her now–former teammates are fighting for equal pay, following a ederal complaint filed by five players on the women’s team regarding the pay gap between the men’s and women’s national soccer teams.
“Basically, the women’s team wins. The men’s team… you know,” said Wambach, hinting at one major difference between the men’s and women’s program. “The women’s team made $16 million last year and the men’s team lost almost $2 million last year. So, what do you think should happen, in terms of how we get paid?”
The case, which was submitted to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, cites the inequality of pay between the genders, even when the women’s team has celebrated more success in recent years than the men’s team.
“I’m proud of my former teammates,” said the recently retired Wambach, who admitted she was still getting used to calling them “former” teammates. “They kicked Columbia’s you-know-what last night.”
