Empowering Women in Sports: The Remarkable Journey of Erin Blankenship

Erin Blankenship, a former professional soccer player and current analyst for the UN World Food Project, is making waves as a passionate advocate for gender equality in sports. During her recent visit to her sister Leslie in El Verano, Blankenship sat down with Anna Pier to share her remarkable story and the impact she's making on the global stage.

Defying Limits: Erin Blankenship's Rise to Greatness

A Diverse Educational Pedigree

Erin Blankenship's educational journey has been nothing short of remarkable. After completing her undergraduate degree at Trinity University in San Antonio, she majored in International Affairs and Mandarin, taking advantage of the institution's vibrant campus life, which she describes as having her "4 S's – sunshine, soccer, scholarship, and study abroad." Blankenship's thirst for knowledge didn't stop there; she went on to earn two master's degrees from King's College London – an MA in International Peace and Security and an MA in Conflict Security and Development. During her studies, she also played professional football for West Ham United FC and Crystal Palace FC, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to both her academic and athletic pursuits.

Championing Equality through Sports

Blankenship's passion for championing gender equality in sports led her to co-found Equal Playing Field (EPF), a remarkable organization that has set multiple Guinness World Records to showcase the capabilities of women in the sport. Their first record-breaking feat was a 90-minute FIFA regulation soccer game played at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, with 33 players from 20 countries climbing to the summit, carrying the goal posts and marking the lines with flour. This symbolic gesture embodied their mission to "Climb to the top of the world to prove you're equal!"The organization's next world record match was held at the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on Earth, further demonstrating the unwavering determination of the women involved. Blankenship and her team have now set five world records for women in soccer, using these high-profile events as a platform to challenge gender inequality in the sport, from the grassroots to the elite levels. Through EPF, they have inspired over 8,500 girls and women from 72 countries, empowering them to break free of the limitations imposed on them and proving that "anything is possible."

Navigating the Complexities of Humanitarian Aid

Alongside her advocacy work in sports, Blankenship serves as a Conflict and Emergency Analyst for the UN World Food Programme (WFP), a role that takes her to some of the most challenging and conflict-ridden regions around the world. Currently, she has been focused on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, providing crucial support in ensuring the safe and effective delivery of humanitarian aid.Blankenship's work with the WFP involves navigating complex political and security landscapes, ensuring that the organization's efforts to provide food security are carried out without causing further harm. She has been part of Emergency Response Teams, providing support in various countries, including Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, the Sudan border with Egypt, and Turkey after the devastating earthquake.

Confronting the Harsh Realities of Conflict

Blankenship's work in Gaza has been particularly challenging, both professionally and emotionally. She has witnessed firsthand the catastrophic lack of food, and the "blatant disregard for international humanitarian law" that has resulted in a "textbook definition of genocide." Blankenship's frustration is palpable as she recounts the harsh realities of the situation, where the delivery of desperately needed aid is often obstructed, with only a fraction of the required food trucks being allowed to enter the region.Despite the emotional toll, Blankenship remains committed to her work, focusing on the smaller components of the problem and finding allies in the process. She emphasizes the importance of embracing the human element, so that she is not alone in this arduous endeavor. As a self-described "nerd," Blankenship also finds solace in processing her trauma through the intellectual aspects of her work.Blankenship's unwavering dedication to her humanitarian efforts, combined with her personal coping strategies, including taking regular unpaid leave and quitting every four to five years to spend time with loved ones, demonstrate her resilience and determination to make a meaningful impact in the face of overwhelming challenges.