Jessica Mendoza has been heavily involved in a variety of philanthropic pursuits. She currently serves as the President of the Women's Sports Foundation where she aims to get more girls active. She is a board member with the National Education Association Foundation, which supports programs for teachers that promote closing the achievement gap. In addition to her work in the U.S., she has spent time in Africa and has been active with Team Darfur and Right to Play, helping kids in war-torn countries through sports. Another role she plays is as a Back Softball Ambassador. Through this, she hopes to get softball back in the Olympic Games.

Mendoza draws her inspiration from her father's basketball coach, who mentored her father through junior high school in Los Angeles. This coach gave Mendoza's father an opportunity to succeed away from the gangs and violence prevalent in the community at that time. It is this concept of opportunity that has driven Mendoza on the softball field and in life- and that drives her to give back. Through her philanthropy, Mendoza will leave a "global footprint"- giving opportunities to people where she can.

About Jessica Mendoza

Jessica Mendoza is a professional softball player who is currently a member of the US Women's National Softball Team. She won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and was a four-time first team All-American at Stanford University from 1999-2002. Mendoza was named Softball player of the year in 2006 and was a member of the PFX tour in 2006. She has also been a member of the Arizona Heat, a professional team in the National Pro Fastpitch League. In addition to her accolades on the field, Mendoza served as the color commentator for ESPN's broadcast of the 2007 and 2008 Women's College World Series.