SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC and its official charitable partner RAVE Foundation today announced that the club is celebrating Women’s History Month with a variety of activations and partnerships throughout the month of March in support of local Black women artists and woman-owned businesses. This year, the club is teaming up with the Northwest African American Museum, Intentionalist and Seattle’s professional sports teams – OL Reign, Seattle Kraken, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Storm – to celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and to recognize their specific achievements over the course of American history in a variety of fields. This month’s celebration includes Sounders FC Day at NAAM, granting free admission for anyone wearing Sounders FC gear, free soccer balls courtesy of RAVE Foundation, free books featuring Black characters, written by a Black author and illustrated by a Black artist as well as special prizes for those fans who #SpendLikeItMatters in support of woman-owned businesses, matchday activations and more.
SOUNDERS FC DAY AT THE NORTHWEST AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
The Rave Green and RAVE Foundation are joining the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) in recognition of Women’s History Month with free admission to the museum on Saturday, March 11 for anyone wearing Sounders FC gear, with an emphasis on the viewing of NAAM’s exhibits featuring works from women artists. The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT and is located at 2300 S. Massachusetts Street, Seattle, Washington, 98144.
Saturday’s in-person program features a variety of activities and giveaways, including a free soccer ball for the first 50 youth in attendance courtesy of RAVE Foundation as well as the distribution of a free book featuring Black characters, written by a Black author or illustrated by a Black artist as part of Sounders FC and NAAM's Books & Balls program. Former Sounders FC players Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans will be in attendance from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. PT.
RAVE Foundation’s gift of new soccer balls to pair with NAAM’s curated children’s books by Black authors and artists reflects the club’s belief in defending the right to play by removing barriers for all youth.
Additionally, NAAM is hosting several exhibitions, including The Colors of Life: African American Abstract Art and the Regathering of Community, a local exhibit showcasing abstract art featuring the works of African-American Northwest women artists Shantell Jackson and LoMar Metoyer. The exhibition will be on display throughout the month of March and until June 24, 2023.
SUPPORT WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESSES
To continue the month-long program in recognition of Women's History Month, the Rave Green are excited to partner with Intentionalist and Seattle’s major professional sports teams – OL Reign, Seattle Kraken, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Storm – to encourage and reward fans who #SpendLikeItMatters in support of woman-owned businesses and the people behind them. This year, fans can help Sounders FC reach the goal of $30,000 spent at woman-owned small businesses. In order to participate:
- Upload your receipt from a purchase from a woman-owned business from March 1-31. Every uploaded receipt is an entry to win. The more entries, the more opportunities exist to win.
- Be entered to win special prizes from area sports teams and Intentionalist.
Fans are encouraged to use Intentionalist's Directory to #SpendLikeItMatters at woman-owned small businesses in their community, including coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, bars, gyms and more.
CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH ON MATCHDAY
Fans attending Sounders FC’s match vs. Los Angeles FC on Saturday, March 18 can join the club’s continuing effort to feature BIPOC and woman-owned food trucks and pop-up restaurants, presented by First & Goal Inc. and Levy, in support of Women’s History Month.
Curated by Intentionalist, these local woman-owned small businesses align with Sounders FC’s social impact and cultural calendar, giving fans the opportunity to discover new culinary delights with food trucks in Lumen Field’s North Plaza and a pop-up restaurant location in Lumen Field’s PNW Marketplace concessions area, located in the East Concourse outside of Section 113.
Those grabbing a treat from one of these featured businesses can upload their receipts at Intentionalist.com as part of March’s Receipt and Receive campaign, a collaboration between all of Seattle’s professional sports teams. All month long, fans are encouraged to “Spend like it Matters” at woman-owned businesses and upload receipts for a chance to win prizes from their favorite teams, including Sounders FC tickets and special autographed gear.
To further support RAVE’s efforts and to learn more about the club’s long-term commitment to social justice, visit RaveFoundation.org and/or SoundersFC.com/Social-Impact.
Media interested in covering Women’s History Month’s events should contact Gisselle Pichardo of Sounders FC Communications [GisselleP@SoundersFC.com].
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