The Postal Service dedicated its Women’s Soccer stamp at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, FL, on Feb. 16.
The stadium is one of several locations for this year’s SheBelieves Cup, an annual women’s soccer tournament featuring the national teams from the United States, England, France and Germany. The stadium is also home to the Orlando Pride, part of the National Women’s Soccer League.
“This stamp honors more than a sport; it honors the women whose leadership continues to inspire the generations behind them,” said Amber McReynolds, a member of the USPS Board of Governors, who spoke at the ceremony.
“Whether it’s on the pitch or at the podium, American female soccer players have been fighting for more than wins. They have been fighting for fairness and equality. And in the process, they have helped women everywhere move the ball down the field on a host of issues.” she said.
For decades, women’s athletic programs were all but invisible on U.S. college campuses, receiving little of the funding and recognition of their male counterparts.
With the passage of Title IX in 1972, things began to change.
By 1985, female soccer players were finally able to compete on an international level. That year, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) played its first official matches in Italy.
In 1991, the team competed in the first official FIFA Women’s World Cup, which was held in China, and won the championship.
In 2019, the United States made history as the only team to win four FIFA Women’s World Cup titles.
This summer, the USWNT will compete at the FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Joining McReynolds were Buddy Dyer, mayor of Orlando; Kay Rawlins, founder and senior vice president of community relations for the Orlando City Soccer Club; and Morgan Wright, an Orlando City Youth Soccer Club player.
Lisa Early, a director at the Orlando Parks and Recreation Department, served as master of ceremonies.
The stamp artwork depicts a female soccer player in action, striking a ball with a side volley.
Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with original artwork by Noah MacMillan (1988-2022).
The Forever stamp is available at Post Offices and usps.com.
