ARLINGTON, Va. - A Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation fundraiser featuring warmup jerseys inspired by Title IX, raised $46,000 for charity. The jerseys were worn by Capitals players when the organization hosted Women in Hockey Night presented by Fresh Vine Wine on March 23 versus the Chicago Blackhawks. A portion of the funds raised will be donated to the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) to help advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity in the DMV area and beyond. In addition, the MSE Foundation donation to the WSF will include the funds raised through the Capitals March 23 50/50 Raffle.
Women in Hockey Auction Raises $46,000 for Charity
A portion of the funds raised will be donated to the Women's Sports Foundation
WSF is known as a preeminent protector and champion of Title IX. Since its inception in 1974, WSF has been fighting for gender equity in sport from grassroots to collegiate and professional levels through its research, advocacy, community programming and a wide variety of collaborative partnerships, and has invested over $100 million in these impact efforts to expand access and opportunities for girls and women in sports.
"Thank you to the Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, for using the powerful imagery displayed on the warmup jerseys to educate the public about Title IX," said Women's Sports Foundation CEO Danette Leighton. "In order for this important law to reach its full promise for all girls and women, it's vital for everyone - especially younger generations - to understand their rights to equal access and opportunity, to be vigilant in ensuring those rights are upheld and not take them for granted."
The warmup jersey was designed by former Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) goaltender and current PWHPA board member
Kimberly Sass of SASS STUDIO
and was unveiled during a special ceremony with players from four PWHPA teams at the National Archives in early March.
The jersey depicts several Washington, D.C., area landmarks and celebrates the history and foundations for change, both architectural and legal, around Title IX. With Title IX's 50th anniversary occurring last year, the jersey is an opportunity to celebrate the progress towards gender equity, women in hockey and the opportunities Title IX has provided women in sports. Washington, D.C., landmarks reflected in the jersey include the National Mall, Capitol Building, White House, Supreme Court Building, Library of Congress and the National Archives Museum.
Click here for additional information on the jerseys.
The auction also included the original acrylic on canvas painting Sass painted and used as reference for the jersey design, titled "Foundations For Change," along with pucks featuring Sass's artwork autographed by Capitals players.
Top-selling items included the painting, Women in Hockey jerseys signed by Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie, Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson and John Carlson and a team signed Capitals Stadium Series letterman jacket.
During Women in Hockey Night, in-game and social content highlighted women in hockey and showcased the Capitals ALL CAPS ALL HER program. Nearly 500 women and girls have participated in programs within the ALL CAPS ALL HER platform during the 2022-23 season. In addition, there has been a 46% growth of female hockey participation in the Washington, D.C., region in the past 10 years according to USA Hockey registration data.
The Capitals launched ALL CAPS ALL HER in December 2021 as an initiative that provides access to hockey and elevates the game for women and girls in the Washington, D.C., area. ALL CAPS ALL HER recognizes and supports female players, coaches, referees, parents, advocates, students and leaders in the community. Events, programs and content throughout the year provide various levels of entry into hockey for women and girls of all ages, offer leadership, business development, and networking opportunities and highlight influential women and families in the community.
The theme night followed a month of programming dedicated to females in hockey in honor of Women's History Month. In early March, the Capitals partnered with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association to host the 2022-23 Secret Dream Gap Tour at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. The PWHPA played four games at MCI in the Capitals PWHPA Showcase. In addition, the Capitals and PWHPA presented three clinics for local players, featuring instruction by PWHPA athletes and coaches and the Capitals youth hockey development staff.
For more information on ALL CAPS ALL HER, including how to register for related programs, visit
WashCaps.com/AllCapsAllHer.
