Malala Yousafzai Partners with Serena Williams and Billie Jean King to Make Sports More Inclusive

Malala Yousafzai is bringing her fight for equality onto the playing field, inspired by tennis legends Serena Williams and Billie Jean King. Watching their courage and determination, she sees how sport can empower girls, challenge stereotypes, and open doors. Through her work, Malala shows that mentorship, visibility, and opportunity can change lives — one game, one girl at a time.

Malala Yousafzai’s latest chapter finds her drawing strength from women who’ve long turned courts and fields into arenas of change. Anchoring her mission in the legacy of athletes like Serena Williams and Billie Jean King, she steps into the world of sport to champion gender equality, where competition meets conviction, and play becomes purpose.

Malala Yousafzai’s latest chapter finds her drawing strength from women who’ve long turned courts and fields into arenas of change. Anchoring her mission in the legacy of athletes like Serena Williams and Billie Jean King, she steps into the world of sport to champion gender equality — where competition meets conviction, and play becomes purpose.

Growing up in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai rarely saw girls playing sports. At her all-girls school in the Swat Valley, the concept of “recess” meant conversation and study, not competition or play. In another part of the same country, her now-husband Asser Malik — then a student at an all-boys school — could spend his breaks playing hockey, football, and cricket. That contrast, both simple and symbolic, would stay with her. Years later, it would shape her latest mission: investing in women’s sports as a tool for equality and empowerment.

Together, Yousafzai and Malik founded Recess Capital in January — a firm dedicated to supporting women’s sports at professional and amateur levels. The name, she says, came from their shared desire to “reimagine school recess for girls.” It’s a nod to the playgrounds where girls were too often spectators rather than players. Malala, now 28, is one of the world’s most recognizable advocates for girls’ education and the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Yet few might know she’s also an avid sports fan — and that it was sport, in many ways, that brought her and Malik together. When they met in 2018, she was studying at Oxford University and he was working as a cricket manager in Pakistan. Their relationship endured long distance, the COVID-19 pandemic, and cultural skepticism toward love marriages, still frowned upon in much of Pakistan.

“He was working in cricket, and that was one of the reasons I was interested in him,” she told People. “Every cricketer is a hard and handsome guy to meet.” Since their marriage in 2021, Malik has introduced her to sports like golf and pickleball, expanding what began as curiosity into a mission. The couple’s initiative, Recess, builds on Malala’s belief that sport can be as powerful as education in shaping a girl’s confidence.

At the Billie Jean King Power of Women’s Sport Summit in London, Malala unveiled the global Recess initiative — a two-pronged effort aimed at increasing girls’ access to sport while also investing in professional women’s leagues.

The project seeks to undo decades of underinvestment and challenge the stigma that still surrounds women’s sports, while proving that equality can also be a sound business decision. The effort is personal for Malala, who recalls being excluded from playground games as a child. “I believe that true education is giving girls access to all of these different pathways that they choose for themselves,” she said recently.

“And sports is a really powerful one — it builds self-esteem, challenges stereotypes, and sends a positive message about women and girls.” Recess is already backed by legendary advisors, including Billie Jean King and her longtime partner and sports executive Ilana Kloss. It is eyeing leagues like the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) — both seen as high-growth spaces with strong social missions.

Malala herself has shown admiration for rising stars like Caitlin Clark, whose breakout success in the WNBA, she says, is proof that visibility can be more transformative than rhetoric.

“They have a huge impact without actually saying much,” she noted. “Just being on the field or on the court changes perspectives.” Malala’s advocacy extends beyond sport. She has supported the Afghan women’s cricket team, which continues to fight for official recognition while in exile after the Taliban’s return to power.

She also maintains friendships with elite athletes such as Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn and frequently attends major women’s sporting events worldwide.

Malala on how Serena Williams and Billie Jean King shaped her mission

When Malala speaks about women in sport, two names surface repeatedly: Serena Williams and Billie Jean King. Both have become personal inspirations — and in King’s case, a direct mentor — as Malala builds her movement from activism into enterprise. 

King’s own story is etched into the DNA of women’s sports. From her 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” to her relentless campaign for equal prize money, King transformed tennis into a platform for gender equality. She co-founded the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), opened pathways for female athletes, and remains one of the sport’s fiercest advocates for equity. 

Serena Williams, too, has long been part of that lineage. In a 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, she reflected on King’s influence, saying, “We had Billie Jean King, and not every sport had that. Billie did so much for women’s tennis and put it on the map. We were so fortunate to have that.”

Williams’ career — marked by 23 Grand Slam titles and two decades of dominance — is, in many ways, the embodiment of the barriers King helped dismantle. 

Their bond goes back decades. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Serena and her sister Venus played doubles under King’s guidance as team coach — and struck gold. King later said of Serena, “When she steps away from tennis, she will leave as the sport’s greatest player.” Williams, in turn, once remarked, “The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I’m in my grave.” 

For Malala, these women are not just icons but living blueprints. “It’s empowering girls,” she says. “It’s sending a powerful message that the sky’s the limit.”

And with that, Malala’s words echo far beyond the pitch. Now preparing to release her new memoir Finding My Way on October 21, she calls sport a “unifying language” in a divided world. “In times of global conflict and uncertainty,” she says, “it gives us a way to come together.”

Today, Malala Yousafzai’s world stretches from Oxford’s lecture halls to UN assemblies — and now, to locker rooms and courts. Through her initiative, Recess, she envisions a world where girls grow up not just to read about icons like Serena Williams or Billie Jean King, but to become them.

As she has often reminded us, “Sport builds confidence, challenges stereotypes, and shows what women can do when given the chance.” Their presence, their quiet defiance — speaks louder than any speech. “They have a huge impact without actually saying much,” Malala said. “I don’t think we need to ask them about every topic and every issue, the fact that they’re on the field and they’re on the court is already changing perspectives.

”It’s a simple, resounding truth: when women play, the world listens.

WHO DAT NEWS — AARON JUDGE DONATES $102.9 MILLION TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS, LAUNCHES “THE JUDGE HAVEN PROJECT” IN NEW YORK CITY

In one of the most inspiring acts of generosity in professional sports history, New York Yankees superstar outfielder Aaron Judge has donated his entire $102.9 million bonus and sponsorship earnings to fund a massive Homeless Shelter Initiative in New York City. The initiative will build 150 housing units and 300 shelter beds, offering long-term stability and renewed hope to hundreds of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

At a press conference held inside Yankee Stadium on Friday morning, Judge was joined by city officials, Yankees executives, and dozens of local families as he emotionally unveiled the “Judge Haven Project.” With tears in his eyes, Judge explained the motivation behind his historic donation.

“I’ve seen the effects of homelessness firsthand growing up, and I knew if I ever had the means, I’d give back in a meaningful way,” Judge said. “No one deserves to sleep on a sidewalk. Everyone deserves a roof, a bed, and a chance to rebuild.”

The project, backed by partnerships with the City of New York Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity, and several local churches, will provide not just housing but also food programs, mental health counseling, job training, and educational opportunities. Judge’s goal isn’t temporary relief — it’s lasting change.

“Aaron didn’t just write a check,” said New York Mayor Eric Adams. “He built a vision — a long-term plan to end chronic homelessness in this city. This is one of the largest private donations New York has ever seen, and it’s coming from the heart of a man who has given his all to this city both on and off the field.”

Judge, who has spent his entire MLB career with the Yankees, is known for his relentless drive, leadership, and deep connection to the community. His loyalty to New York City has made him not just a sports hero, but a local icon. Since joining the team in 2016, Judge has been active in numerous outreach efforts — from youth mentorship programs to disaster recovery projects — but this initiative marks his most ambitious effort yet.

Fans and fellow players across the league have taken to social media to praise Judge’s generosity. Teammate Gerrit Cole wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

“That’s real leadership. Aaron’s always been about more than baseball. That man’s heart is different.”

Former Yankees great Derek Jeter also posted a heartfelt message, calling Judge’s gift “a moment that defines what it means to love your city and your people.”

The Judge Haven Project will be built in phases across New York City and surrounding areas. Phase one — 50 housing units and 100 shelter beds — is set to break ground in March 2026, with completion expected by early 2027. The initiative will prioritize veterans, families with children, and individuals who have been displaced by natural disasters — an issue that continues to challenge New York communities.

Each site will include a community resource center, offering workshops in financial literacy, employment readiness, and life skills. A portion of the funding will also support an annual “Path to Purpose” scholarship, helping young people who grew up in shelters access higher education or trade programs.

“Aaron Judge’s donation is more than a contribution — it’s a catalyst,” said Ronald Peterson, director of the New York Homeless Alliance. “This project will transform lives and change the way we approach housing and rehabilitation in this city.”

The initiative’s impact is already rippling through the region. Yankees fans have started organizing online fundraisers to add to the project, while local businesses have pledged matching donations. Even the MLB Players Association has announced plans to recognize Judge with the Community Impact Award for his extraordinary service.

Despite his massive financial commitment, Judge was quick to remind everyone that this isn’t about fame or headlines — it’s about humanity.

“I’m blessed to play this game and be part of a team that means everything to this city,” he said. “But baseball is temporary. Impact lasts forever.”

As he left the podium, the crowd erupted in chants of “LET’S GO YANKEES!” echoing through the stadium with pride and emotion.

For New York City, Aaron Judge isn’t just an outfielder — he’s become a symbol of heart, humility, and hope. His donation will not only reshape lives but redefine what it means to be a hero in the truest sense.

From the streets of downtown New York to the neighborhoods still recovering from years of hardship, one message now rings clear:

Aaron Judge has turned his success into shelter — and his legacy into love.

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