Before the rise of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, a group of determined women in 1970s Illinois laid the foundation for the sport’s future. They fought for recognition, defied expectations, and proved that women’s soccer was here to stay. League of Women is the untold story of these pioneers, their triumphs, and their lasting impact on the global game.
Teaser (2026)
League of Women is a compelling documentary that chronicles the trailblazing women who transformed soccer in the United States, long before it became a professional sport. Set against the backdrop of the 1970s women's movement and the passage of Title IX, the film follows the rise of the Illinois Women's Soccer League (IWSL) and follows one team — Schwaben — that traveled to West Germany in 1980, making history 11 years before the first Women’s World Cup.
Your donation is tax deductible! LEAGUE OF WOMEN is a fiscally sponsored project of the International Documentary Association (IDA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions in support of LEAGUE OF WOMEN are payable to IDA and are tax deductible, less the value of any goods or services received, as allowed by law.
Currently in Production (October 2026)
We are filming members of the Schwaben Women’s Soccer Club, IWSL founder, and league organizers as they share memories of the teams they built, the friendships they formed, and what it meant for women to play soccer when opportunities were limited. The women who made this history are telling the story in their own words.
Returning to Germany
In 1980, the Schwaben women traveled to West Germany to play eight matches with seven teams and came home undefeated. We are working toward a return trip with members of the team to revisit places from that tour and meet women from the German teams they faced. Bringing them together decades later would allow us to explore what they remember of those matches—and what they recognize in one another now.
Why Their Story Matters Today
Women’s soccer has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, with more players, teams, and audiences than the Schwaben women could have imagined in 1980. But that growth began with people who made space to play before there was much recognition or support.
League of Women connects these fearless pioneers to a larger question: what changes when women claim a place on the field? For these players and grassroots organizers, soccer meant competition, opportunity, travel, and the freedom to be who they are. Their story shows how access to sport can open doors far beyond the game.
These histories are not written in the archives. Overshadowed by men's sports coverage, the story of these women risk fading away. This film uncovers them, gathering vital oral histories and personal archives straight from the players and organizers who lived it.
Help us continue filming, research league histories, and bring this story to the screen.
TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION
Your donation is tax deductible! LEAGUE OF WOMEN is a fiscally sponsored project of the International Documentary Association (IDA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions in support of LEAGUE OF WOMEN are payable to IDA and are tax deductible, less the value of any goods or services received, as allowed by law.
Meet the Team
Director, Producer, Editor
Liz Sung
Liz Sung is a creative strategist, producer, and communications specialist with experience in media, nonprofit storytelling, and community engagement. She has collaborated with numerous cultural and advocacy organizations, bringing sensitivity and strategic clarity to complex social narratives. Sung’s first feature documentary project is Laoch: Defy the Odds (2024), for which she had a producer and editor role. As a female BIPOC filmmaker, Sung is committed to amplifying the voices of traditionally marginalized communities.
Director of Photography, Producer
Stephan Mazurek
Stephan Mazurek is a Chicago-based filmmaker, cinematographer, and producer with more than 20 years of experience in documentary, broadcast, and live performance. His work includes projects for PBS/WTTW, Discovery, Skittles, BBC, HBO, and producing and filming content for Equality Illinois, Center on Halsted, and Howard Brown. As a DP, he has lensed Louder Than A Bomb, The Road Up, Million Dollar Pigeon, and Rockfield: Studio on the Farm. His award-winning documentary Laoch: Defy the Odds follows Irish powerlifter Thomas McCague’s journey through adversity and salvation.
Producer
Tracy Baim
Tracy Baim played women’s soccer for 25 years, starting in 1977. She was right halfback on the 1980 Schwaben women’s team that traveled to West Germany. She is now executive director of Press Forward Chicago, a pooled fund for community journalism based at The Chicago Community Trust. Baim is co-founder and owner of Windy City Times. She is former publisher of the Chicago Reader newspaper. Baim has written and/or edited 14 books, and has produced two feature films (Hannah Free with Sharon Gless, Scrooge & Marley), and two documentary films.
Associate Producer
Bianca Nickson
Bianca Nickson is a Chicago-based producer and researcher drawn to stories that might otherwise be forgotten. Originally from Germany, she studied Economics at the University of Cologne before moving to the United States, where she researched the American market for Robert Bosch and went on to produce fashion shows, videos, and events. As a documentary producer, Bianca believes everyone has a story worth discovering and personal memories can reveal a much larger history.