Today, our friends and peers on the USA Women's National Hockey Team announced that they will not be playing in the 2017 IHHF Women's World Championship next month "unless significant progress has been made on the year-long negotiations with USA Hockey over fair wages and equitable support."

The full statement can be read below.

As fellow female athletes, we recognize and respect the members of the team who have come together in protest of their unfair treatment. We want to voice our support and pride in the strength and resilience of these extremely talented, hard-working athletes. It is the responsibility of all of us to help pave the way for the future generations of female athletes by standing up for what is right.

Get to know these women by visiting our Features page.