NEW YORK, June 20, 2018 – Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi has been awarded the May WNBA Community Assist Award presented by State Farm for her ongoing support of single mothers and their families as well as her support for the LGBTQ community in Phoenix.

An active member and advocate in the LGBTQ community, Taurasi is focused on using her platform to promote inclusion and equality.  In conjunction with local non-profit One Community, Taurasi and Mercury center Brittney Griner took part in an event called Off the Record Live: Out in Sports.  The two WNBA stars spoke about the journey and the challenges that come with being openly out in professional sports.

During opening week, the Mercury “traded places” with local grocery store, Fry’s Food Stores.  Taurasi and teammate Leilani Mitchell, in partnership with a local organization called Save the Family, took a single mother and her family on a $500 shopping spree.  With Taurasi’s help, the family was able to purchase food, toiletries and other essentials.

Additionally, the three-time WNBA champion recently partnered with four local non-profits to host more than 50 single mothers and their families, who were given grocery store gift cards, flowers and breakfast and spent the morning with Taurasi and her teammates.

“Becoming a new mom has really made me appreciate not only my mom and everything that she did for me, but all of the moms out there who are raising young boys and girls, especially those that are doing it as single moms,” said Taurasi.  “Penny [Taylor] and I are doing it together and it’s still a lot of work for us, so I can only imagine a day in their shoes.”

The WNBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by State Farm is awarded monthly during the season to the player who best reflects the WNBA’s passion to make a difference in the community.  In recognition of Diana Taurasi’s efforts, the WNBA and State Farm will donate $5,000 to benefit Moms Demand Action and Florence Project.

Please visit http://www.wnba.com/statefarmcommunityassist/ for more information on the award and its recipients.