Announcing Our New Founding Partnership with Cadenshae!
Cadenshae, the global leaders in activewear for pregnant and breastfeeding moms, has officially joined on as a Founding Partner of &Mother and we could not be more thrilled!
With their backing, we were able to launch our initial support for three US Olympic hopefuls training to qualify for Tokyo 2021.
In addition to their generous donation to support our &Mother athletes in training, travel, and family support needs, Cadenshae is also providing the athletes with specialized elite sportswear.
Cadenshae Founder Nikki Clarke says she felt compelled to support the &Mother cause and their athletes:
“Cadenshae inherently recognizes the value and importance of supporting mothers and everything they choose to do. We’ve always campaigned that women do not have to choose a career or motherhood...they should be able to thrive in both areas, given the right support.”
During the peak of her career in 2013, &Mother co-founder Alysia Montaño discovered brands weren’t always so on board with motherhood, as her then sponsor - Nike said they would cease her pay if she fell pregnant, which she soon did. Months later, the 6 x 800m US champion was picked up by Asics and promised maternity coverage for the future. But, following the birth of her daughter (Linnéa) in 2014 - and after a change of management - Montaño’s contract was cut due to her performances whilst pregnant.
Montaño’s treatment became the catalyst for a movement to find companies who support female professional athletes in pregnancy, and beyond. Fellow moms and star runners, Allyson Felix (the most decorated female Olympian of all time), and long-distance champion, Kara Goucher joined Montaño’s plight, with all three women speaking out, and standing up for maternal protection in their contracts.
“After my awful experiences, I’ve been on a mission to find companies who will back and showcase the ‘whole person,’ not just the athlete,” says Montaño.
“Cadenshae is one of these trailblazing businesses, also Altra, Athleta, Nuun Hydration, Oiselle...but we need more. We want to show the world we can excel as athletes AND as mothers.”
Nikki Clarke says Cadenshae and &Mother are clearly mission-aligned.
“We’re honored to be part of &Mother’s movement that aims to break glass ceilings for the generations to come. Young women across the globe will see these athletes chasing down their dreams, and realize it’s truly possible to have it all.”
Montaño says things are moving in the right direction, but there’s still much that needs to be done.
“We’ve lit the match, but the fire is yet to roar. We need other brands, other companies to sponsor female professional athletes for their whole career...not just the times that best serve them. With Cadenshae’s help, we can support three strong &Mother athletes, to continue showing the world how moms CAN get back to business when given the opportunity. Organizations need to see and accept that it’s possible.”
