NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 8, 2023) – Today in celebration of National STEM Day, Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) announced their partnership with Play Like a Girl!® (PLAG), a nonprofit organization that leverages skills gained from sports to help propel young women into careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Bridgestone and PLAG are teaming up with five professional football franchises—the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans—for a series of programs during the 2023-2024 season designed to create equitable access to opportunity and develop the next generation of women leaders.
These activities are part of Bridgestone’s What Really Matters brand platform, which is designed to drive purpose-driven actions that can make a positive and lasting impact for future generations.
“Participating in sports provides valuable opportunities for girls to become leaders both on and off the field. By pairing STEM education with organized sports, young women can excel in any game, in any classroom and in any career,” said Caitlyn Ranson, head of partnerships, Bridgestone Americas. “We are proud to partner with Play Like a Girl to drive engagement through our sports relationships and help create more equitable access to opportunity today and for generations to come.”
Together, Bridgestone, PLAG and participating teams have hosted interactive girls flag football Field Days across the past month featuring drills with professional football players, a hands-on STEM activity, and a panel discussion featuring female leaders from each organization. Attendees also received a custom STEM curriculum created by PLAG designed to instill teamwork, leadership and self-confidence.
Bridgestone will further support each girls flag football market in different ways, including team transportation funding, development of a digital educational portal, equipment donation and more. As part of the initiative, Bridgestone will also make a $100,000 donation to PLAG to support the national expansion of its mission. This donation has the ability to impact approximately 2,000 more girls and young women across the country with new mentoring programs and chapter expansions in current PLAG locations.
“We’re thrilled that with Bridgestone’s support we can bring our programs to even more girls in communities across the U.S.,” says Dr. Kimberly Clay, founder and CEO, Play Like a Girl. “Closing the gender gap in STEM requires reaching girls in all corners of the country. Bridgestone knows the skills learned on the field matter, and now through this partnership with Play Like a Girl—they will raise national awareness that equitable access and opportunity off the field is what really matters.”
Bridgestone’s collaboration with PLAG and professional football is part of a broader What Really Matters partnerships platform that includes initiatives with the PGA TOUR, Nashville Predators, adaptive sports organizations, and grants to more than 150 non-profit organizations aimed at reducing barriers of entry for underrepresented groups and serving communities where the company moves, lives, works, and plays.
Bridgestone’s partnerships align with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, which consists of 8 Bridgestone-like values starting with the letter “E.” This initiative aligns with the “Emotion” and “Empowerment” values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment.
For more information, visit bridgestoneamericas.com.
