Riley Gaines speaks to Republican women

COEUR d'ALENE — Riley Gaines, a 12-time All-American swimmer and advocate for fair competition in women's sports, delivered the keynote address to the Kootenai County Republican Women Federated last Saturday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Gaines spoke to more than 500 people during the annual Women in Red dinner and fundraiser.

"Riley's advocacy aligns perfectly with our organization's values," said Davalu Cummings, president of KCRWF, in a press release."She is genuine and passionate about keeping men from erasing women from achievement in competitive sports. Gaines has become an advocate for women's sports, promoting equal opportunities for women.

During the event, she described her path and dedication to becoming one of the top female swimmers in the nation while swimming at the University of Kentucky and pursuing a dental degree.

She outlined how she and teammates were required to share a locker room with Lia Thomas, a biological male athlete, and how she was forced to compete against Thomas during the 2022 NCAA women's swimming championship.

"Men, and even women, remain silent and allow women to be eliminated by allowing trans athletes to compete in female sports," Cummings said. "I am appalled and embarrassed that any mother or father can support this practice as it jeopardizes their daughter’s sporting aspirations."

Idaho Rep. Barbara Ehardt of Idaho Falls, also spoke.

The former NCAA Division I women's basketball coach for 15 years introduced Idaho’s "Fairness in Women's Sports Act," which prohibits transgender women from participating in women's sports.

According to the press release, Kootenai County Republican Women Federated raises funds to promote American values, provides constitution booklets to high school seniors, awards scholarships and engages in other community-minded activities.