The Lamoureux twins—Olympic gold medalists on the historic 2018 US women’s ice hockey team—tell their story of grit and determination, from youth hockey dominated by boys to the big business of elite international sports, fighting for gender equity in hockey, sports, and beyond.
Dare to Make History is the story of two courageous and talented women who weren’t willing to accept anything less than being treated as equals. On their journey to a gold medal in women’s ice hockey, they became role models for generations before and after them.
Twins Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando started playing ice hockey with their four older brothers and their friends on a frozen pond next to their home in North Dakota. No girls hockey teams, no problem―they just played on boys teams.
They went on to win six World Championships and played in three Olympics, winning two silver medals and ultimately a gold medal in South Korea in 2018 for the USA Women’s National Team.
They did not allow roadblocks and discrimination deter them from taking on their governing body—USA Hockey—threatening to boycott the 2017 World Championships and jeopardizing their ability to compete in the 2018 Olympics unless their gender equity issues were addressed. The success of Monique, Jocelyne, and their team thrust them into the center of the struggle for gender equity, for women in hockey and in sports in general, as well as in society at large.
In Dare to Make History, the Lamoureux twins chronicle their journey to the pinnacle of their sport, their efforts along with almost 150 other hockey players to start a new professional women’s hockey league, their training to come back and make another national team after giving birth, their tireless efforts to advance the interests of disadvantaged communities in closing the digital divide, and their ongoing contributions as role models championing the dreams of future generations of girls in sports, education, and the workplace.
This is not a hockey book. It is not a girls book. It is a book about the importance of the fight for equity, particularly gender equity. It is the inspirational story of how two young women from a small town in North Dakota have dreamed big—had the courage to take on huge battles—and in the end how they have dared to make history.
Industry Reviews
"This book takes you on Jocelyne and Monique's wild ride to success and what it took to get there. It's more than a story about hockey or sports. It's more than a story of hard work, determination, and embracing adversity. This is a story of clear and serious purpose."
- Mika Brzezinski, Co-host, MSNBC's Morning Joe
"Parents who want their children to succeed in sports will find this book instructive, but more importantly, parents who want their children to succeed in life as good, honest, and brave humans will find this book invaluable and truly inspirational."
- Heidi Heitkamp, Former US Senator (D-ND)
"?For anyone looking for a blueprint on how to turn hard work into gold, this is an extraordinary story about a family believing in one another. The Lamoureux twins champion a cause bigger than themselves-fighting for gender equity. These stories leave you wanting more."
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Track & Field Olympic Champion
"Beyond the twins' gripping account at the 2018 Olympics, they explain that winning Gold was just part of the journey. They accomplished their goal of leaving the game in a more equitable place for the girls who would come after them. They are champions in life!"
- Julie Foudy, ESPN analyst, Two-time World Cup and Olympic Soccer Champion
"Dare to Make History is a compelling story of grit, resiliency, and living your core values. Monique and Jocelyne share their inspirational story of chasing Olympic gold and putting that dream on the line to fight for equity in hockey. After having to play with boys and facing discrimination throughout their youth hockey years, Monique and Jocelyne demanded more equal opportunities and a culture change within the sport. At the doorstep of the Olympics, they risked it all to further the cause of equality. Through confidence and determination, these women fought to make the journey easier for the next generation of women hockey players.
This book will motivate you to advocate and cheer 'for the ones left behind'-the young women still struggling for their own sheet of ice. I am inspired by Monique, Jocelyne and the rest of the US women's hockey team and their efforts to address inequalities in the sport. These young women created new paths, fans, and dreams within the sport of hockey. Dare to Make History is a reminder that we have the ability and obligation to drive change for the betterment of the next generation."
- Valerie Camillo, President of Business Operations, Philadelphia Flyers
"For all these [athletic] accomplishments, it is their work off the ice that they chose to highlight in this memoir: not only their efforts to succeed in a male-dominated sport, but also to change hockey so that the girls who came after them would have an easier time than they did."
- Kirkus Reviews
"It's a powerful story of athletic perseverance, teamwork, and hard-earned victory-and so much more. The book also details the twins' battle for gender equity in a male-dominated sport and society. The authors provide a behind-the-scenes look at how their demands for more equitable treatment from USA Hockey (USAH)-and their refusal to accept anything less than equitable treatment-changed the game forever and are changing society as well."
- Publishers Weekly
"Most of us know that Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux were exceptional hockey players who led the United States to the Olympic gold medal in 2018. What we did not know is how exceptional they are as storytellers. What an incredible story they tell in Dare to Make History, challenging built-in bias to become great, fighting for equity even it if meant risking everything, overcoming obstacle after obstacle to be the best in the world. This is a goosebump narrative told with seriousness, fun, humor and the enduring message that dreams can come true if you never stop believing in them."
- Buzz Bissinger, New York Times Bestselling Author, Friday Night Lights
"The book tells the inspiring story of their rise to become gold medal-winning hockey players in the 2018 Olympics and their ongoing fight for gender equity within a male-dominated sport and society...Having already achieved many of their early aspirations and goals, the Lamoureux twins wanted to leave the game better than they entered it by creating opportunities and equity for generations to come."
- Fansided
"It's a comprehensive, exciting account of their careers that also lends valuable insight into how the sport of women's hockey has grown and shifted over that timespan. And it's told by two people who not only witnessed that growth but put in so much effort themselves to help foster it."
- The Ice Garden
"Dare to Make History: Chasing a Dream and Fighting for Equity is everything you are hoping for in a memoir, it explains the highs and lows of personal life while also reflecting on how each sister rose to fame in the women's hockey world. From the beginning, both attribute many of their qualities to their parents constantly having them focus on being good people on and off the ice, even giving credit to their mom for sparking their desire to play for Team USA in the Olympics. Readers will get an intimate look into the lives of two transcendent women who have faced adversity throughout their careers. Monique and Jocelyne detail everything from their early youth hockey days playing with the boys, their successful high school and college careers, to their decision to fight for equity with USA Hockey. Throughout the story it is clear just how dedicated and selfless their efforts are to ensure young girls will have a better future in hockey than ever before."
- Women's Hockey Life
