DALLAS, TX – In addition to experiencing the excitement of the FIFA World Cup this summer, visitors to the FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas at Fair Park will be greeted by 26 statues that serve as a reminder that the future of sports not only depends on the athletes on the field, but also on the leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) who are transforming sports from behind the scenes. Among these women, two represented are from Puerto Rico.
Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ IF/THEN® initiative and the FIFA World Cup North Texas Organizing Committee announced the names of the 26 women selected for #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit: Game Changers. This public installation features life-sized, 3D-printed, lime green statues representing women who work in a wide variety of professions driving the global sports industry in organizations such as Nike, Pepsi, WNBA, NASCAR, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Cowboys, U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, and various universities in the United States. By revealing the science behind the sports we enjoy so much, the exhibit highlights the opportunities that exist at the intersection of sports and STEM disciplines, and invites new generations to imagine themselves in these roles.
Alba Colón Rodríguez is a mechanical engineer specializing in performance and motor sports who contributes to the design and development of champion race cars in NASCAR. She led Chevrolet's NASCAR program, helping to achieve hundreds of victories and multiple championships before becoming Director of Technical Alliances at Hendrick Motorsports. Today, in addition to driving innovation and performance on the track, she works to open opportunities for more women and students from historically underrepresented groups in engineering.
Mechanical engineer, Alba Colón Rodríguez participated in the "Together We Can" series of the Seeds of Triumph program. Photo: Courtesy of IF/THEN Collection.
On the other hand, Amanda Álvarez Dieppa is a neuroscientist and scientific communication consultant who helps translate complex scientific concepts into clear and applicable knowledge. She is also the founder of LaBori Boxing, a non-profit gym in Dallas that uses boxing to support mental health, build personal confidence, and foster a sense of community.
Neuroscientist Amanda Álvarez Dieppa founded LaBori Boxing Inc, which offers free boxing lessons for youth, while fostering a passion for STEM. Photo: Courtesy of IF/THEN Collection
The exhibition, free and open to the public, will be available until Sunday, July 19. Its objective is to inspire new generations to see themselves reflected in STEM careers by sharing real stories of women who drive innovation in one of the world's most influential industries. Several of the honorees have visited the FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas during the tournament to share with the public and talk with young people interested in STEM careers.
The statues of Amanda and Alba on display in Dallas, Texas. Assets for photo: Courtesy of IF/THEN Collection
“We are excited to celebrate this extraordinary group of women featured in #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit: Game Changers and to present their stories to a global audience,” said Nicole Small, CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies and co-founder of IF/THEN®. “Sport captivates young people around the world. By highlighting women thriving in STEM careers linked to the sports industry during one of the planet's most important sporting events, we hope that young visitors will discover the many opportunities available for their future and recognize that they also belong in these spaces.”
A Historic Continuation
#IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit: Game Changers is the second statue exhibition powered by IF/THEN®, following the historic debut of #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit, which featured 120 statues of contemporary women in STEM, including statues of Puerto Ricans and allies of the Ciencia Puerto Rico's Seeds of Triumph program, Greetchen Díaz-Muñoz, Roselin Rosario-Meléndez, Bea Mendez-Gandica, Ana M. Porras, and Minerva Cordero-Braña. These five statues are currently on display at the Bayamón Science Park.
The first exhibition set a record as the largest collection of statues of real women exhibited simultaneously and toured ten locations, including Central Park Zoo, Kendall Square in Cambridge, Dallas Love Field Airport, NorthPark Center in Dallas, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., reaching over five million visitors. The new exhibition expands the initiative's reach into the world of sports, one of the most influential cultural platforms on the planet.
Each statue is connected to a digital story that includes photographs and videos about the honoree's personal and professional journey, which can be accessed via QR codes installed on each statue and also on the exhibition's webpages and in the digital library IF/THEN® Collection, the largest free resource of its kind.
“We are honored to present these statues during the FIFA Fan Festival Dallas,” said Monica Paul, President of the FIFA World Cup North Texas Organizing Committee. “These works celebrate the powerful influence each of these women has exerted throughout their lives, and we are excited that fans from around the world can learn firsthand about their impact during this summer’s tournament.”
Located along the pedestrian walkway at the southwest entrance of the FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas, the statues welcome the tens of thousands of visitors who attend the event daily.