First program distribution will provide 13,050 sports bras to every middle and high school female student-athlete across 39 D.C. public schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 15, 2026) – Today, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) and the Washington Mystics announced EquipHER, a new campaign to keep D.C. girls in sports by providing female student-athletes across the District with essential athletic gear.
The campaign is part of MSE’s multi-million-dollar “District of Play” youth sports initiative and will begin with a large-scale sports bra distribution in partnership with DC Public Schools (DCPS). Built to empower the city’s female student-athletes through multiple meaningful touchpoints, additional EquipHER initiatives and equipment distributions will be announced in coming months.
The initial EquipHER distribution will deliver three Mystics-branded sports bras to every DCPS middle and high school female student-athlete, ensuring essential equipment for both practice and competition.Additional inventory will remain on-site at each school as discretionary stock for athletic directors and physical education teachers to support ongoing student needs.
EquipHER is designed to address a gender gap in youth sports participation: according to the Aspen Institute, 70 percent of D.C. boys play sports, compared to just 53 percent of the city’s girls.
“Every day at Monumental, I work alongside women who play vital roles supporting our teams, call our games, and drive growth in our industry. Almost every one of them will tell you playing sports gave them something they couldn’t have learned anywhere else,” said Monica Dixon, President of External Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “Girls who play become women who lead. By providing sports bras that fit, EquipHER removes one barrier to play and helps D.C. girls stay in the game long enough to find out who they could become.”
“When students have what they need in the classroom and on the field, they can show up as their full selves, ready to learn and compete,” said DCPS Chief of External Affairs Kera Tyler. “Confidence, support, and comfort matter in athletics, and EquipHer addresses an often-overlooked need for our female student‑athletes. Thanks to DCPS’ partnership with Monumental, our girls already have their shoes, and this thoughtful addition provides yet another piece of gear so they can win without barriers.”
EquipHER will formally launch on Tuesday, April 21 with an event at Charles Hart Middle School in Ward 8 headlined by Mystics legend and 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Elena Delle Donne. The event will include EquipHER’s first sports bra distribution, along with programming designed to build body confidence and destigmatize the conversation around sports bras. Featured participants include the Wizards Dancers, 18-time Paralympic gold medalist Jessica Long, MSE’s Dixon, and other D.C. officials.
The launch at Hart Middle School tips off a four-day distribution with Big Bus Tours from April 21–24. The Mystics-branded Big Bus will travel to middle and high school team practices in each of the District’s eight wards, distributing sports bras directly to student-athletes at every stop.
“As someone who grew up playing multiple sports, I know first-hand how having the right equipment can make all the difference in how you compete – whether you’re playing at recess or as a professional athlete,” said Delle Donne. “When barriers to confidence are removed, girls can focus on the joy of playing and the skills developed through sports. I’m excited to participate in this vital EquipHER event to show girls what’s possible through the power of play and that we are rooting for them to succeed.”
Beyond the distribution, the Mystics will also provide students with digital content and support resources about sports bra care and body positivity.
The Mystics-branded sports bras were commissioned by MSE through FLY:FWD, a program of the national nonprofit Operation Warm, marking the first time FLY:FWD gear has carried a WNBA team’s branding.
“Access to something as essential as a sports bra can be the difference between a girl showing up or sitting out,” said Lindsay Grassia, FLY:FWD Partnerships Director. “Our partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment and the Washington Mystics shows girls in D.C. that they have a place in sports and deserve support.”
EquipHER builds on MSE’s longstanding commitment to supporting young women and girl athletes. In addition to a Girls Empowerment Program launched in 2025 and a slate of year-round programming, the organization is a proud partner of the Women’s Sports Foundation, supporting many of the organization’s key programs and community impact initiatives.
“At the Women’s Sports Foundation, our research shows that access to play is still not equal, and achieving a level playing field starts with the basics. Too many girls leave sports during middle and high school years due to preventable barriers, including access to essential equipment,” said Olga Harvey, Chief Operating Officer at the Women’s Sports Foundation. “Girls consistently rank items like properly fitting sports bras among the top things they need to feel confident and to keep playing. Initiatives like EquipHER are critical because when we remove these barriers, we help ensure every girl has the chance to step onto the field and into her full potential.”
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