One on One with... | Images of Us Sports

Hoepner is the owner of the specialty running store, Performance Running Outfitters, located in Brookfield, Oconomowoc, and Shorewood.

Bernell Hooker

Bernell Hooker is the Founder and CEO of Images of Us (IOU) Sports; a non-profit organization that empowers girls and women through education and sports. "Think of yourself as an athlete. I guarantee you it will change the way you walk, the way you work, and the decisions you make about leadership, teamwork, and success." - Mariah Burton Nelson

Season ticket holders for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky were recently treated to an up close and personal meet and greet with new General Manager and head coach, Pokey Chatman. Chatman was met with cheers and applause upon her arrival as fans welcomed her to Chicago, took advantage of photo opportunities, and asked hopeful questions regarding the upcoming 2011 season. Blue and yellow confetti seemed to be the theme of the evening with early dreams and optimism for a championship win.

Bernell Hooker

Bernell Hooker is the Founder and CEO of Images of Us (IOU) Sports; a non-profit organization that empowers girls and women through education and sports. "Think of yourself as an athlete. I guarantee you it will change the way you walk, the way you work, and the decisions you make about leadership, teamwork, and success." - Mariah Burton Nelson

Jillian Ross

Jillian Ross is a researcher, writer and learner determined to make a difference in the world. Her work has focused on Title IX and gender equity; the intersections of identity (e.g. race, gender, sexual orientation, class, etc.), especially that of Black queer female student-athletes; creating safe schools and spaces for students and teachers; and more recently, educational and teacher leadership with a focus on school leadership for social justice. Although she no longer participates in competitive sports, Ross still considers herself an athlete. Her love of sport began with basketball and track, and has expanded to her current love of hiking in Tilden, working out at the YMCA, and biking around the Bay Area. Ross works and resides in Berkeley, CA with her partner of 7 years.

Ross writes a women-focused blog addressing the just & unjust in the world at jillian4justice.wordpress.com.

In an effort to tell the untold stories of girls and women in sport, I present the story of Alana Nichols—granddaughter, daughter, sister, and friend—a woman who has overcome physical odds and triumphed as not only a Gold medal-winning Paralympian in both the Summer and Winter Games—the lone American woman to do so—but also as a leader in the adaptive sport movement. I hope her story inspires you that anything is possible. That said, I dedicate this post to those who have inspired and influenced Alana along her journey and in particular her Grandma— Joan Vilven—and brother, D.J. Nichols (29), who died unexpectedly in June 2009.

Jillian Ross

Jillian Ross is a researcher, writer and learner determined to make a difference in the world. Her work has focused on Title IX and gender equity; the intersections of identity (e.g. race, gender, sexual orientation, class, etc.), especially that of Black queer female student-athletes; creating safe schools and spaces for students and teachers; and more recently, educational and teacher leadership with a focus on school leadership for social justice. Although she no longer participates in competitive sports, Ross still considers herself an athlete. Her love of sport began with basketball and track, and has expanded to her current love of hiking in Tilden, working out at the YMCA, and biking around the Bay Area. Ross works and resides in Berkeley, CA with her partner of 7 years.

Ross writes a women-focused blog addressing the just & unjust in the world at jillian4justice.wordpress.com.

Can the new social media such as Facebook, Twitter or Blogs impact the way we view women sports. Well IOU Sports intern Danae Russell sought out two well known women sports social media outlets to ask questions on how they got started in this business.

Bernell Hooker

Bernell Hooker is the Founder and CEO of Images of Us (IOU) Sports; a non-profit organization that empowers girls and women through education and sports. "Think of yourself as an athlete. I guarantee you it will change the way you walk, the way you work, and the decisions you make about leadership, teamwork, and success." - Mariah Burton Nelson

On September 17, 2009, Images of Us Sports held the Women in Sports Symposium at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee. The theme of the symposium, It Takes a Team: Exploding the Myths in Women Sports, explored and addressed issues facing girls and women in sports, including homophobia and discrimination.

Bernell Hooker

Bernell Hooker is the Founder and CEO of Images of Us (IOU) Sports; a non-profit organization that empowers girls and women through education and sports. "Think of yourself as an athlete. I guarantee you it will change the way you walk, the way you work, and the decisions you make about leadership, teamwork, and success." - Mariah Burton Nelson

It is Nfinity’s goal to make a profound difference in the lives of female athletes by providing footwear specifically designed for their physiology.

Bernell Hooker

Bernell Hooker is the Founder and CEO of Images of Us (IOU) Sports; a non-profit organization that empowers girls and women through education and sports. "Think of yourself as an athlete. I guarantee you it will change the way you walk, the way you work, and the decisions you make about leadership, teamwork, and success." - Mariah Burton Nelson

As Images of Us Sports celebrates its fifth year sharing, educating, and empowering girls and women through sports, the organization is taking this time to honor women who possess the skills needed to juggle multiple duties both in and outside the home.

Bernell Hooker

Bernell Hooker is the Founder and CEO of Images of Us (IOU) Sports; a non-profit organization that empowers girls and women through education and sports. "Think of yourself as an athlete. I guarantee you it will change the way you walk, the way you work, and the decisions you make about leadership, teamwork, and success." - Mariah Burton Nelson

By Nikki Ward, IOU Sports Writer

Amelia McCarthy,
President and General Manager
of the Milwaukee Momentum

Guest Blogger

Occasionally IOU Sports receives great information and articles from guest bloggers. If you are interested in writing or contributing to IOU Sports, please fill out the information on the Contact page.

By Nikki Ward, IOU Sports Writer

Pictured: Bernell Hooker, IOU Sports Founder and CEO, Tamika Catchings, Nikki Ward, IOU Sports Writer

Guest Blogger

Occasionally IOU Sports receives great information and articles from guest bloggers. If you are interested in writing or contributing to IOU Sports, please fill out the information on the Contact page.