Candace Parker's "Can-Do Mindset": From WNBA Greatness to Championing Equality

Candace Parker's 'Can-Do Mindset': From WNBA Champion to Advocate for Women's Sports June 4, 2025 - Candace Parker, a three-time WNBA champion, recently sat down with Amna Nawaz on PBS NewsHour to discuss her new book, "The Can-Do Mindset." The interview explored Parker's remarkable career and her perspective on the challenges and triumphs faced by women in professional sports. Parker shared how her parents instilled in her a "can-do" spirit, a philosophy that served as a cornerstone of her success. She stated, "My mom was the true MVP in inspiring me to believe I could do anything and be anything." This belief propelled her through years of intense training and competition. The interview also addressed the persistent pay gap between men's and women's professional sports. Parker's poignant question in her book, "Why did men get to build careers and fan bases right here in the United States, while I had to go for four years of college, play in the WNBA, then fly halfway around the world to receive reasonable pay?" highlights the ongoing struggle for fair compensation. Despite the challenges, Parker remains optimistic about the future of women's sports. She noted the increasing visibility and investment in the WNBA, saying, "The gap is closing because now you're seeing values are set at a young age... society is now looking at women's sports as a business." Her words offer hope for a more equitable and prosperous future for women athletes. Candace Parker's journey from a young girl with a "can-do" attitude to a WNBA champion and now an author serves as an inspiration. Her story underscores the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and the ongoing fight for equality in the world of professional sports.