VIS Mentor and Chicago Sky Power Forward, Brianna Turner, has made an impact in the WNBA since her rookie season. In 2020, she was named to the All-Defensive team, and last season, she helped the Sky make it to the WNBA semifinals. As Turner’s professional basketball career grew, so did her platform. 

As a social justice and human rights graduate student at Arizona State University, Turner turned her knowledge into power. She has used her social media platform to share educational videos and calls to action, and to simply shine a light on the communities who have typically been in the dark. Turner believes that her platform acts as a microphone that’s necessary for reaching a wider audience.  

Because of the large following that she has cultivated on X (formerly known as Twitter), Turner uses this platform to tweet about basketball-related issues, obstacles that affect her communities as a Black woman, and the communities of LGBTQ+ athletes. While Turner has grown her VOICE and following, she wants to encourage other voices to speak out, regardless of the size of their following. “No issue or platform is too small to advocate for what you believe in, and it is never too late to start,” Turner says.  

What Advocacy Looks Like to Turner 

Advocacy might have one definition, but it looks different to everyone. According to Turner, “Allyship is something that most people don’t know where to start, but just support marginalized communities who don’t have full access to rights.”

Turner has been an ally for many, but a few in particular that she has supported through social media, t-shirts and helping those who are struggling are: 

• Equal Opportunities for trans girls by working to silence the “fake outrage” surrounding transgender women in sports and focusing on the ability of trans athletes to “play the sport they love.”

• People of color in and out of sport. 

• Listening to the communities who often don’t get the opportunity to have their VOICE heard.

• Keeping unfair legislation out of sports and highlighting the inequalities between men’s and women’s sports. 

• We are supporting the new eyes to basketball via Caitlin Clark and other players people are tuning in for by uplifting women athletes who are growing the league. 

“People often think their one vote won’t matter, but if everyone voted, everyone’s voice would be heard.”

Brianna Turner, VIS Mentor and WNBA power forward for the Chicago Sky

Why is Now the Time to Vote?

At a time where women’s sports may feel like they are rising, human rights for women are dwindling. Due to the current state of women’s sports, Title IX, violations, and the loss of women's rights outside of the sports arena, it’s time to utilize our VOICE and vote. As the start of election season is around the corner, Turner shares her three tips of advice around voting: 

• Register to vote for every election you can.

• If you live in a blue state and want to vote red, VOTE. If you live in a red state and want to vote blue, VOTE.

• Encourage others around you to vote, no matter what side you think they will vote. 

“People often think their one vote won’t matter, but if everyone voted, everyone’s voice would be heard,” Turner says. 

Turner has used her sport to make a difference on and off the court, and everyone has the power to follow in her footsteps. She is one of the countless WNBA athletes who have used their collective VOICES to advocate for equitable access to voting rights and civil rights, reminding us that we are more than just an athlete. We have a VOICE, and we can collectively use it to make positive change within our communities. No matter the platform, we can all make an impact, and now is the time more than ever.