On the basketball court, Stephen Curry is a three-time NBA champion and a two-time MVP; he’s a beast of a shooter and constantly breaking three-point records. But he’s also a father of three, a husband, and an activist whether or not he has the ball in his hands.
For Women’s Equality Day on Aug. 26, Steph penned a heartfelt letter about what fatherhood means to him and how his perspective has changed since he and wife Ayesha Curry welcomed baby boy Canon in July (they are already parents to two daughters, 6-year-old Riley and 3-year-old Ryan).
Steph touched on how he’s been surrounded by powerful women his entire life, but now, the issue of women’s equality is more relevant than ever. “Riley and Ryan are growing up so fast.
And with Ayesha and I suddenly seeing things through the eyes of these daughters of ours, who we brought into this world, and now are raising to live in this world. . . You know, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that the idea of women’s equality has become a little more personal for me, lately, and a little more real,” he wrote in an essay for The Players’ Tribune.
He added, “I want our girls to grow up knowing that there are no boundaries that can be placed on their futures, period. I want them to grow up in a world where their gender does not feel like a rule book for what they should think, or be, or do. And I want them to grow up believing that they can dream big, and strive for careers where they’ll be treated fairly. And of course: paid equally. ”
It’s interesting, because athletes are sometimes disregarded for having opinions outside of their sport, but LeBron James said it best when referring to the current political climate: they are so much more than athletes. These athletes care about mental health issues, women’s rights, and more, and they are doing so much by using their platforms to touch upon these issues.
Steph also explained how “the idea of what it means now to raise a boy in this world” has been top of mind lately. “I already know, just based on his gender alone, that Canon will probably have advantages in life that his sisters can only dream of. How do you make honest sense of that as a parent? What are the values, in this moment, to instill in a son? ” he wrote.
“I think you tell him: Be yourself. Be good, and try to be great – but always be yourself. I think you teach him to always stay listening to women, to always stay believing in women, and – when it comes to anyone’s expectations for women – to always stay challenging the idea of what’s right. And I think you let him know that, for his generation, to be a true supporter of women’s equality – it’s not enough anymore to be learning about it. ”
Read on to see adorable photos of Steph, Ayesha, and their beautiful family.
