Soccer star talks 'Wolfpack' in Naperville

Abby Wambach is a fighter.

She has shown it on the soccer field, where the two-time Olympic gold medalist is an icon, as well as in her pursuit of gender rights and her drive for expanded opportunities for female leadership.

Her message was brought into the spotlight with last spring's memorable commencement speech at Barnard College. Wambach's story is both inspirational and motivating and is the basis for her new book, "Wolfpack."

Wambach will discuss the book during an appearance at 7 p.m. April 11 at Community Christian Church, 1635 Emerson Lane, in Naperville. Her appearance is sponsored by Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville.

As part of the program, Wambach will participate in a moderated discussion. Pre-signed books will be distributed to ticketholders; there will be no live signing line. Tickets are available exclusively at WolfpackAndersons.brownpapertickets.com.

In her book, Wambach delivers what she hopes will be an empowering rally cry for women to unleash their individual power, unite with their pack and emerge victorious together.

As the co-captain of the 2015 Women's World Cup Champion Team, she created a culture not just of excellence, but of honor, commitment, resilience and sisterhood. Wambach helped transform a group of individual women into one of the most successful, powerful and united wolfpacks of all time.

In her retirement, she's ready to do the same for her new team: "All Women Everywhere."

Wambach's message to women is:

We have never been Little Red Riding Hood. We Are the Wolves.

We must wander off the path and blaze a new one: together.

She insists that women must let go of old rules of leadership that neither include nor serve them. She's created a new set of wolfpack rules to help women unleash their individual power, unite with their wolfpack, and change the landscape of their lives and world: from the family room to the board room to the White House.