Welcome!

I offer weekly stories and insights on female-only sports; older female athletes; the empowerment of women through sports.

Stronger Women is for female athletes, feminists, and curious readers of all ages and both sexes.

I’ve been writing about women and sports since 1980. My most popular book is The Stronger Women Get, The More Men Love Football. I’ve broken big stories about homophobia in women’s sports; coach-athlete sexual abuse; and sexual and domestic assault by football players, including OJ Simpson.

I still write about controversial topics. I’ve always had a thick skin. It’s a superpower of sorts.

My choice of topics is intuitive and immediate. I write about what draws my attention this week. What I need to say. This keeps me motivated to keep writing.

Your free subscriptions, paid subscriptions, likes, and comments keep me going, too. I do need to know someone’s out there, listening. Thank you for letting me know you are.

I played basketball 🏀 at Stanford and in two professional leagues. I’ve played ten competitive sports (swimming, field hockey, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, tennis, water polo, rowing, golf and, as of 2025, cornhole.)

Along with champion athletes and coaches Martina Navratilova, Nancy Hogshead, Donna de Varona, Donna Lopiano, and Tracy Sundlun, I’m a member of the Women's Sports Policy Working Group.

If you’re not familiar with me or my writing, the best way to catch up is to read the first essay in this series, called Stronger Women: I’m Back. Or peruse essays by my two main topics, #AgingUp or #SaveWomensSports. Or go to my website: www.MariahBurtonNelson.com.

Everything is Free

Virtually everything is free. If you’d like to support my work financially, you’ll receive very-occasional gifts such as my graphic story, A Wild Swim — and full access publication archives, and my enduring gratitude. Plus, you’ll make my day.

But truly, any subscription is a vote of confidence and appreciation, and I welcome you, however you care to be here.

How subscription works

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Join Stronger Women

I’d love to have you join this community of women, men, athletes, fans, readers, and leaders. Participate in the comments section, and subscribe!