Little Rock Central High Softball
Equal
means
equal.
Girls who wear the CHS jersey deserve the same investment, dignity, and sense of belonging as every other student athlete.
Every team deserves a home.
Central’s softball players are still waiting for equitable treatment.
This is about more than a field.
Athletics are a critical part of public education. They teach our kids teamwork, leadership, discipline, and pride. Every LRSD student, regardless of gender, should have an equal opportunity to benefit from sports.
Central High’s softball players represent their school, but they do not receive equitable facilities, resources, access, or treatment as their male counterparts. The team must leave campus for its field while other athletes benefit from major on-campus investment and accessibility.
The difference sends this message: the experiences of girls matters less than boys. Little Rock School District leaders must work to send a better message to female student athletes. It's time LRSD fix their inequity problem in sports.
For the record:
Equity for girls does not take anything away from boys.
We celebrate investment in boys’ athletics. We are calling on education leaders to bring that same care and commitment to girls’ athletics. Strong public schools show every student that they are valued and that they belong.
Same school.
Different experiences.
Equity neglect shapes where players go, what they carry, how they prepare, and whether they feel fully part of their own school community. We need to do better for our girls.
01
Players have to leave class early, change, and pack equipment before practice.
The off-campus hustle adds time, logistics juggling, and frustration to an experience that should be rooted at school.
02
The team doesn’t just deserve a home field. Federal law requires equal treatment.
A true home site is part of team identity. It creates visibility, school pride, student support, and the unmistakable feeling that the team belongs at Central, not somewhere else.
03
Today’s decisions become tomorrow’s standards.
It matters for the current team AND for every girl who will put on a Central uniform after them. Equity must be addressed now to ensure a lasting, meaningful softball program.
The assignment is simple:
Make equality measurable.
Players and parents aren't looking for vague promises. They want a transparent plan with clear deadlines. They want a lasting solution for current and future players.
- 01
Provide equitable facilities
Deliver safe, accessible, high-quality softball facilities that meet the same standard LRSD provides to other student athletes.
- 02
Put the plan in writing
Publish the district’s specific solution, the people responsible for it, its funding plan, and measurable deadlines.
- 03
Fix the present AND the future
Address the current team’s facilities, resources, access, transportation, and daily experience while pursuing a permanent solution for teams to come.
- 04
Meet the full standard
Ensure lasting Title IX compliance and equitable treatment across girls’ athletics at Central. Quick fixes & symbolic gestures are not the answer.
We believe LRSD can get this right.
Now we need leaders to show us how and when they'll fix the problem.
A school with Central’s history should lead on equity
Pick your play.
You do not have to be a softball player or know everything about Title IX to stand up for students! Choose one thing you can do today and then make it happen.
Join the list
Get campaign updates, action alerts, and invitations.
Sign up 02COMING SOON: Follow the team
See player stories, campaign news, and ways to show up.
Stay tuned for Equal Means Equal IG page 03COMING SOON: Tell LRSD
Send district leaders a clear message: publish the plan and timeline.
Stay tuned for ways to reach out 04COMING SOON: Show up
Join players, families, and supporters at a public action.
Stay tuned for eventsQuestions people ask.
Is this really about taking resources away from boys’ sports?
No. We support strong athletics for every student. Investment in boys’ programs shows what LRSD can do; this campaign asks the district to bring an equitable level of care, access, and investment to girls athletics, too.
Why does having a home field matter?
A home field affects transportation, practice time, storage, visibility, attendance, school pride, team identity, and athletes’ daily sense of belonging. Facilities are part of the educational opportunity schools provide through athletics.
What is Title IX?
Title IX is the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. In athletics, schools must provide equal opportunity and equitable treatment for programs. This does not necessarily mean having identical programs across sports, but it does mean schools must provide an overall experience that is genuinely equal.
What would count as progress?
A public, written commitment from LRSD with a specific solution, funding, responsible decision-makers, measurable deadlines, meaningful short-term improvements, and a permanent path to equitable facilities and treatment.
Who is behind Equal Means Equal?
Equal Means Equal is made up of LRSD student athletes, parents, and community members who believe girls’ high school sports deserve the same resources as boys’ high school sports. For AR People supports the coalition’s public education and advocacy work.
For reporters
Cover the story.
For interviews with players, parents, or campaign representatives -- or for additional media assets -- contact For AR People.
info@forarpeople.orgTime to take action.
No more waiting
for equal.
Stand with Central softball
A campaign supported by For AR People