The Chicago Bears will recognize Women's History Month throughout March by honoring the women who shaped the organization's history, spotlighting those leading across football and business operations today and investing in the next generation of athletes and leaders redefining the game.

This month, the organization is giving flowers by recognizing impact in real time, honoring legacy and elevating the women whose leadership continues to move football forward. From ownership to executive leadership to youth development, women remain central to the Chicago Bears identity and long-term vision.

Leadership Across Generations

Mrs. Virginia Halas McCaskey remains one of the most influential women in National Football League history and a defining figure in the Chicago Bears legacy. Her leadership spanned decades of transformation across professional football, helping preserve the values, stability and long-term vision of one of the league's founding franchises. Within NFL circles, she was widely respected for her generosity, integrity and enduring commitment to excellence in the game and in the community.

At a time when women in senior leadership roles across professional sports were limited, her presence helped expand what leadership in football could look like. Her legacy continues to inspire women pursuing executive and football operations roles throughout the NFL.

Today, various women serve in senior executive roles across the Chicago Bears organization, including:

• Karen Murphy - EVP of Stadium Development & Chief Operating Officer

• Liz Geist - EVP of People and Culture & Chief Human Resources Officer

• Tanesha Wade - EVP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Chief Impact Officer

• Krista Whitaker - EVP of Legal and Business Affairs & Chief Legal Officer

• Meka White Morris - EVP of Revenue & Chief Business Officer

• Laura Anderson - SVP of Administration & Chief Financial Officer

• Tanya Dreesen - SVP of Strategy and Global Affairs & Chief of Staff

These leaders guide strategy, stadium development, revenue, legal and business affairs, people and culture, equity and impact and global affairs. Through this work, the organization advances programming that supports equitable opportunity, broadens representation within professional football and creates pathways for women and young people to lead both on and off the field.

Recognizing that influence is part of giving flowers. It honors the foundation while continuing to expand opportunity across the organization.

Strengthening Culture Through Women ERG

Inside Halas Hall, leadership development continues through intentional engagement and mentorship through the Chicago Bears Women's Employee Resource Group. Launched in Spring 2025 and led by Vice President of Social and Digital Content Strategy Pooja Van Dyke and Assistant Athletic Trainer Mariellen Mardis, the resource group supports and empowers women and advocates across both football and business operations.

Employee Resource Groups are voluntary, employee-led communities designed to create connection, create belonging and provide professional development opportunities across the Club.

"The Women's ERG creates space for women across football and business operations to connect with purpose," said Pooja Van Dyke. "When we invest in mentorship, dialogue and professional growth, we strengthen the culture of the entire organization."

During Women's History Month, the Women's ERG will lead storytelling activations and wellness programming at the Walter Payton Center, creating opportunities for the organization and its staff to recognize women who have helped shape their professional journeys and personal growth. The club will also coordinate appreciation moments across its community network, honoring women leaders who continue to break barriers and expand access and opportunity within their respective fields. Content from these recognitions will be shared throughout March on Bears social channels.

Strengthening Connection with the Female Fanbase Through the Women's Advisory Board

The Chicago Bears continue to collaborate closely with the Bears Women's Advisory Board (WAB), composed of women leaders from various industries with ties to the city of Chicago. Established in 2024, the board was formed to provide insight on initiatives focused on deepening the club's relationship with its female fanbase and supporting community-based efforts.

Over the past two years, the WAB has contributed to the planning and execution of women-focused initiatives across the organization, including gameday themes, career expos for young women and community events supporting women-led organizations and small businesses. Board members meet regularly with club leadership to provide feedback and strategic perspective.

Continued Growth of Girls Flag Football in Illinois

Since 2021, efforts to expand Girls Flag Football programs across Illinois have transformed the sport statewide. What began as a 22-team pilot program with Chicago Public Schools has grown to more than 210 high school programs across multiple leagues that participated in the 2025 season.

The 2025 IHSA Girls Flag Football State Championship concluded with Maine South High School defeating Whitney Young High School to capture the state title, marking another milestone in the sport's continued rise. The season also culminated in the annual Girls' High School Flag Football All-State Awards Dinner at Soldier Field, where 56 student-athletes were recognized for excellence on and off the field.

Additionally, nine girls flag football players across Illinois were honored as Bears Player of the Week, brought to you by Dunkin', with each recipient receiving a $500 donation to a nonprofit organization of their choice. Aribella Spandiary of Maine South High School was named the 2025 Illinois Girls Flag Football Player of the Year, recognizing her leadership, performance and impact throughout the season.

Spandiary, along with Nina Lloyd of Whitney Young High School, represented the NFC, the Chicago Bears and the state of Illinois at the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase during Pro Bowl Games week in San Francisco. The nationally televised event brought together elite student-athletes from across the country and underscored the rapid growth and national visibility of girls flag football.

The Bears also recognized youth leaders across the state for their impact beyond competition:

• Elani Trejo of Romeoville High School received the Latino Heritage Month Youth Leader Award, recognizing Latino football and girls flag football players who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and service.

• Sasha Johnson of Antioch Community High School received the Black History Month Youth Leader Award, honoring student-athletes who embody leadership, academic excellence and a demonstrated commitment to creating positive impact within the Black community.

Girls Flag Football is Expanding Internationally

International growth continues alongside statewide expansion. In the United Kingdom, the Chicago Bears have introduced American football to more than 10,000 young people since 2022 through girls leagues and youth clinics across London, Birmingham and Manchester. These programs prioritize access, inclusion and the long-term development of young athletes.

In Spain, the Bears launched their inaugural school-based girls flag football leagues in Madrid and Barcelona in November 2025, establishing structured competition and sustainable development pathways. The program builds on years of grassroots clinics and partnerships and aims to provide consistent resources and competitive opportunities for youth internationally.

The goal remains clear, to make the sport more accessible and build pathways for girls locally and globally.

Collegiate Opportunity and the Road to 2028

As high school participation expands, collegiate opportunity continues to grow. The Chicago Bears will host an eight-team collegiate women's flag football tournament at the Walter Payton Center on March 7 and 8, building on the momentum established in 2025 when the organization hosted Illinois' first-ever collegiate women's flag football game between Rockford University and Benedictine University.

The Chicago Bears also host an annual College Showcase at the Walter Payton Center each fall, providing top high school girls flag football players across Illinois the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and football IQ in front of collegiate coaches and recruiters. With flag football set to debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the pathway from youth sport to collegiate competition and elite international play continues to take shape.

Additionally, the Chicago Bears recognized Lilly Argyelan of Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, Elianna Brucato of Oak Park and River Forest High School and Aribella Spandiary of Maine South High School as recipients of the 2026 Girls Flag Football Changemaker Award. In partnership with the National Football Foundation, each honoree received a $5,000 scholarship to support their continued academic and flag football journey at the collegiate level. The award honors student-athletes who use girls flag football as a platform for leadership, academic excellence and community impact.

A Year-Round Celebration

The Chicago Bears first introduced Celebrating Women and Girls in Sports during 2025 Training Camp, creating an early-season platform to recognize the impact of women across football operations, business leadership and youth athletics. The activation highlighted girls flag football teams, women professionals within the organization and the growing influence of women shaping the game.

Throughout Training Camp, the Bears invited newly launched girls high school teams to attend practice and experience the professional environment firsthand. Teams also received brand new cleats donated through The Kevin and Greta Warren Family Foundation to support their inaugural seasons. Additionally, the Chicago Bears hosted the Celebrating Girls in Sports Career Expo, along with mentorship initiatives and the Women of the Workplace program in partnership with DePaul University. These events provided high school students exposure to career pathways in sports, media and business while allowing them to hear directly from women professionals about leadership, perseverance and representation.

Later in the regular season, the Bears expanded the initiative with the first-ever Celebrating Women and Girls in Sports Game on Nov. 23 when Chicago hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers. The themed game served as a larger stadium platform to honor the legacy and leadership of women who have shaped the history of sports while recognizing the next generation of athletes, coaches and professionals driving progress across the industry. Fans experienced tributes and recognitions throughout the stadium, reinforcing the organization's continued commitment to equity, representation and opportunity.

Women have shaped the history of the Chicago Bears and continue to define its future. By giving flowers today and investing in tomorrow, the Chicago Bears are helping build a future where leadership, opportunity and impact in football are defined by inclusion and possibility.