Allyson Felix (right) and her daughter, Camryn Ferguson.
For Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field Olympian in history, necessity truly became the mother of invention. Balancing a demanding athletic career while caring for her newborn brought her face-to-face with a harsh reality: support for mothers in high-performance sports was almost nonexistent. For Felix, this wasn’t just about convenience—it was about survival, self-determination, and reshaping the system for mothers.
This resonates deeply with me. Like Allyson, I faced a system—the workplace—that wasn’t designed for primary caregivers, especially mothers. Corporate rules were written over a century ago, predominantly by and for men. But as I often say, when the rules don’t work for you, rewrite them. I was honored to meet Allyson Felix at the espnW Summit and interview her about her journey. Through her own challenges, she found the strength and voice to become a champion for caregiving, setting a powerful precedent for mothers in athletics.
Her journey took a defining turn in 2018 when she gave birth to her first child. What started as a simple need for childcare while training grew into a larger purpose: changing the equation for mothers everywhere. Allyson’s decision to speak out against her primary sponsor, Nike, over maternity protections was groundbreaking. Her advocacy and actions—including leaving Nike, launching her own athletic shoe brand Saysh, and joining Athleta’s Power of She Collective—led to a shift in how Nike and other companies support female athletes. She has become a leading voice in an industry where motherhood had once been seen as a “kiss of death.”
In collaboration with Pampers, Felix established the first-ever Olympic nursery at the Paris Games—a groundbreaking space for mothers and young children within the athletes’ village. Her experience has ignited a movement, amplifying mothers’ stories to show that care isn’t an afterthought, but a foundation for success.
“It was incredible to bring a nursery to the Olympic Village in Paris for the first time,” said Felix. “To see athletes with their babies–—it made me feel proud and equally motivated that there is more to be done to support caregivers in our world.”
Felix has now joined forces with the national nonprofit organization Chamber of Mothers to tackle one of the biggest hurdles that prevent mothers—particularly Black moms in under-resourced communities—from voting: access to childcare. This partnership, the next big moment for the Chamber of Mothers Vote Like a Mother® Campaign, aims to ensure that every mother, regardless of her circumstances, has the support she needs to make her voice heard at the ballot box this election season.
“You should never have to choose between your profession, your passions, and motherhood,” said Felix. “I’m honored to partner with Chamber of Mothers to tell moms that in this election, you don’t have to choose between voting and motherhood. This election, you can do both.”
Inspired by Felix’s tenacity, The Female Quotient (FQ) is honored to support this mission. With a global community of over 5.5 million women in business, we hold the power to drive meaningful change. By lending our voices and resources, we can help provide essential caregiving support on voting day for mothers and primary caregivers, who are often burdened by high costs and time constraints. Together, we can help caregivers fully participate in civic engagement.
At The FQ, we know the most powerful ideas for change come from lived experiences. Allyson Felix’s journey shows how personal challenges can inspire systemic transformation. By harnessing the collective strength of millions, we can ensure every mother and primary caregiver has the support to thrive in both career and community.
“Providing care for parents in the workplace is a game changer,” said Felix. “Without barriers, you are able to show up as a better version of yourself and do your job better. Care advocacy is crucial work.”
The road ahead is clear. Felix’s courage to transform her experience into action has set the stage for us all. Together, with our FQ community, we can envision a world where caregiving is a given, not an obstacle, throughout our workplaces and civic institutions.
