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UConn, Texas, UCLA Lead the Pack in NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament

Womens Journal Staff 2 on March 18, 2026

The 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is officially underway, and as expected, powerhouse programs UConn, Texas, and UCLA have emerged as frontrunners in the tournament. With a mix of championship pedigree, high‑level talent, and momentum, these teams are poised to make deep runs toward the Final Four and potentially claim the national championship. The field is packed with talent, but these teams have set the stage for what is expected to be one of the most competitive tournaments in recent years.

UConn Holds No. 1 Seed and Championship Legacy

The University of Connecticut (UConn) enters the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, following a remarkable regular season where they went a perfect 34‑0. The Huskies are the defending national champions, having claimed the title in the previous year. UConn’s consistency over the past several seasons has solidified their place as a dominant force in women’s college basketball.

UConn’s roster is a balanced mix of experienced players who have proven themselves on the national stage and younger stars eager to make their mark. The team’s blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent has been a key factor in their continued success. They are known for their exceptional ability to control tempo, execute at a high level, and make plays in clutch moments, all while maintaining a disciplined and balanced approach to the game. This has allowed UConn to remain at the top of the women’s basketball world.

UConn’s historical pedigree also plays a large role in their continued dominance. The Huskies have established a legacy that has seen them win multiple NCAA championships, and their reputation as one of the most successful women’s basketball programs in history is well‑deserved. With a 34‑0 record heading into the tournament, UConn is the favorite for many analysts and fans to repeat as champions, making them one of the most closely watched teams in the field.

Texas Powers into the Tournament with Strong Defense

The University of Texas has emerged as one of the top teams in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, securing a No. 1 seed for the first time in the history of the program. Texas has been a force throughout the season, showcasing a blend of strong defense and balanced scoring that has helped them become one of the most complete teams in the tournament.

Texas’s defense has been one of the primary factors in their success. The Longhorns are known for their ability to shut down opposing offenses and generate turnovers, which leads to fast‑break opportunities and easy points. The team’s defensive intensity is matched by their scoring depth, with contributions coming from multiple players across the roster. This balance allows Texas to adapt to a variety of opponents, making them a tough matchup for anyone in the tournament.

Throughout the season, Texas has made a strong case as one of the nation’s best teams, especially in key matchups against other high‑ranked opponents. Their ability to impose their will on both ends of the floor has made them one of the most difficult teams to prepare for. Fans have been energized by the team’s recent performances, and Texas’s reputation as a rising force in women’s basketball has been reinforced by their stellar regular‑season record. As they enter the tournament, the Longhorns have an excellent chance to make a deep run, and their strong all‑around game will likely make them a difficult team to eliminate.

UCLA: A West Coast Powerhouse Ready for the Big Stage

UCLA enters the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament as one of the top programs in the country, securing a No. 1 seed after an impressive 31‑1 regular season. The Bruins have made it clear that they are ready for the national stage, and they have quickly become one of the most feared teams in the field. With their dynamic style of play, including a fast pace and aggressive offense, UCLA is poised for a strong tournament showing.

UCLA’s strength lies in its athleticism and ability to push the tempo. The Bruins have been effective at using their speed and transition play to generate scoring opportunities, particularly in fast breaks and up‑tempo situations. Their ability to capitalize on these opportunities has set them apart from many of their competitors. Additionally, UCLA’s defense has been solid, providing the foundation for their high‑scoring, fast‑paced offense.

UCLA’s success in the tournament will also be driven by their ability to execute in critical moments. The Bruins are known for their composure and focus during tight games, and this poise under pressure will be important as the tournament progresses. Their combination of size, athleticism, and disciplined execution makes them one of the most well‑rounded teams in the field. As the tournament moves toward the Final Four, UCLA will be looking to prove that they can compete with the best of the best and bring home a national title.

NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Draws National Attention

The presence of UConn, Texas, and UCLA at the top of the bracket is a testament to the increasing depth and competitiveness of women’s college basketball. These teams represent some of the most successful and storied programs in the history of the sport, and their inclusion as No. 1 seeds reflects their dominance throughout the season.

However, these three teams are not the only ones with eyes on the championship. The 2026 tournament features a host of other strong programs, all of which are capable of making a deep run. The balance of power in women’s college basketball has shifted over the years, with teams from all over the country now having a legitimate shot at the national title.

As the tournament progresses, the performances of UConn, Texas, and UCLA will continue to capture the attention of basketball fans nationwide. The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has become a marquee event in March, with fans eagerly following the action and hoping for thrilling moments and upsets. With the growing popularity of the women’s game, the spotlight on these teams has never been brighter, and the tournament promises to deliver even more excitement as it advances.

Abby Ross Broke Down at a Business Lunch, and It Changed Her Life

Women's Journal Staff on March 18, 2026

By: Stacey Barker, Jade Umbrella PR

Abby Ross had built a career on composure.

So when she found herself sobbing at a New York City restaurant table during a work trip, she felt exposed in a way she never had before.

Ross was in the middle of a separation. Friendships had unraveled. Rumors were circulating. She was weeks away from finalizing a divorce and grappling with something even bigger: at 43, she had just come out as gay.

“I am not someone who cries at work,” Ross says. “But I could not hold it together that day.”

Instead of questioning her professionalism, the senior executive at Hydrolix, the company she works for and calls family today, moved to her side of the table and wrapped her in an embrace. The moment shifted something inside Ross.

“My personal life felt like it was imploding,” she says. “But in that moment, I knew I was supported by my work family.”

That support would become the anchor she needed.

Living Two Lives

When Ross entered the tech industry at 32, she was married to a man, pregnant with her first child, and living in Chicago. Today, she is divorced, raising two children in Austin, and living openly as a gay woman. Through every personal reinvention, one constant has remained: her career in technology.

Her professional confidence, however, did not begin in tech. Ross started in television news, climbing markets from Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Davenport, Iowa, then Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The newsroom was competitive and image-conscious. In the early 2000s, being openly gay on air could have threatened a career.

Former reporter Jana Shontel later described those pressures on NBC’s Today, recalling the heavy makeup, straightened hair, and hyper-feminine styling that became an unspoken uniform.

Ross wore it too. Blazers. Kitten heels. Hair spray. She dated men, flirted when expected, and absorbed commentary about her appearance. Once, a news director asked before a broadcast, “Abby, did you brush your hair before going on camera?” She doubts a male colleague would have heard the same.

“Heterosexuality felt necessary if I wanted to move up,” Ross says.

She left television in 2008 and moved to New York to start over. Public relations followed. Marriage followed. Children followed. On paper, everything aligned.

Inside, she felt misaligned.

Becoming a Tech Insider

In 2013, Ross landed a job at a cybersecurity company in Chicago after spotting the opening online. She knew almost nothing about the industry.

“I was still using a Blackberry,” she says with a laugh. “I called gigabytes ji ga bites.”

Acronyms like SIEM and WAF were foreign. She learned quickly. Colleagues mentored her, and she grew into leadership roles across cybersecurity and cloud companies. By 2020, she was leading marketing for IBM’s team of incident responders and hackers.

For the first time, she felt she had found her tribe.

“Tech people are quirky,” she says. “They are authentic. I felt at home.”

The irony was that she still was not fully herself.

The Breaking Point at 43

By 2024, Ross had more than a decade in tech. The industry, while still imperfect, had made visible strides toward inclusion. Women represented roughly a third of the workforce. LGBTQ+ professionals, though still a small percentage, were more visible than when she started her career.

Ross reached a personal reckoning.

“For my entire adult life, I buried my sexuality because I was afraid of losing my career,” she says. “At 43, I realized I could not keep doing that.”

Coming out reshaped everything. Her marriage ended. Some friendships dissolved. Dating women for the first time brought both exhilaration and heartbreak. For months, she felt isolated, adjusting to shared custody and the emotional aftershocks of starting over.

Work became her stabilizer.

She had recently joined Hydrolix, a real-time data analytics company, and threw herself into her role. Colleagues supported her through the divorce and its fallout. The New York dinner became the emotional turning point.

“That was when I stopped feeling ashamed of needing support,” Ross says.

Rebuilding, On Her Terms

After that trip, something shifted. The sadness lifted. She began building a new circle of queer friends in Austin. She bought her own home. She settled into co-parenting. She kept dating. She kept working.

In January 2026, she marked two years since coming out. At a recent company retreat in Canada, she showed up in dresses paired with Nikes, sometimes a beanie, light makeup, and no performance.

“I finally feel like I am on the inside,” she says.

Ross now hopes to help launch an LGBTQ+ employee resource group at her company. For her, visibility is no longer optional.

“There is still work to do,” she says. “But if we show up authentically and support one another, change happens faster.”

Her career in tech never wavered, even as her personal life transformed. Today, those two worlds are no longer at odds.

For Abby Ross, success is no longer defined by titles or promotions. It is defined by alignment, authenticity, and a life she finally feels proud to live.

Building Confidence From the Foundation Up: Nylaaj’a Wilks on Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and the Mission Behind Build-A-Bra

Women's Journal Staff on March 18, 2026

By: Robin Moore

During Women’s History Month, stories of innovation, resilience, and empowerment take center stage. Few embody those values as well as entrepreneur Nylaaj’a Wilks, founder of Build-A-Bra. What began as a deeply personal experience has grown into a brand dedicated to helping women feel supported, both physically and emotionally.

Through her work, Wilks is challenging long-standing industry norms while encouraging women to embrace their bodies with confidence. In this exclusive interview, she opens up about the inspiration behind Build-A-Bra, the importance of inclusivity in lingerie, and the legacy she hopes to create for future generations of women.

From Personal Struggle to Purpose

Building Confidence From the Foundation Up: Nylaaj’a Wilks on Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and the Mission Behind Build-A-Bra

Photo Courtesy: Nylaaj’a Wilks

Q: Women’s History Month is about honoring women who create change. What inspired you to launch Build-A-Bra, and how did your own personal experiences shape the mission behind the brand?

Growing up, I developed a larger chest at a young age, and finding bras that were both supportive and comfortable was always a challenge. Many of the options available either didn’t fit properly or didn’t make me feel confident in my own body. That experience stayed with me for years and made me realize that so many women share the same struggle, feeling overlooked by an industry that should be supporting them.

That personal experience inspired me to create Build-A-Bra. I wanted to build a brand that helps women feel supported, comfortable, and confident in their own skin. For me, it’s not just about lingerie, it’s about creating pieces that allow women to embrace their bodies and feel empowered every day.

The Power of Proper Support

Q: Build-A-Bra isn’t just about lingerie; it’s about confidence and empowerment. In your view, how does something as personal as a well-fitting bra impact a woman’s sense of self and how she shows up in the world?

A well-fitting bra can truly change how a woman feels throughout her day. When something fits properly and supports you as it should, it allows you to move through life with comfort and confidence rather than constantly adjusting or feeling uncomfortable.

Something as simple as a bra can influence posture, confidence, and even how a woman carries herself. When women feel physically supported, it often translates into greater mental and emotional empowerment. Build-A-Bra was created to help women feel confident in the foundation of their outfits.

Redefining Inclusivity in Lingerie

Q: The lingerie industry has historically struggled with inclusivity and proper fit for many body types. How is Build-A-Bra challenging those norms and creating a more inclusive experience for women of all shapes and sizes?

The lingerie industry has historically centered on a narrow idea of what women’s bodies look like, which has left many women struggling to find bras that truly fit and support them.

Build-A-Bra was created to challenge that experience by putting real women and real body diversity at the center of our brand. The idea behind Build-A-Bra is exactly what the name suggests: giving women options that help them build the support and confidence that work for their unique bodies.

Our focus is on providing bras that prioritize comfort, support, and a range of sizes so more women can feel seen and supported. Every woman deserves to feel confident in what she wears, and Build-A-Bra is about helping women find pieces that fit their bodies, not forcing their bodies to fit the product.

Lessons From Building a Brand

Q: As a woman entrepreneur building a brand rooted in confidence and self-acceptance, what obstacles have you faced along the way, and how have those challenges strengthened your vision for Build-A-Bra?

Building a brand rooted in confidence and self-acceptance has been incredibly rewarding, but it has also come with real challenges. As a first-time founder, one of the biggest obstacles has been learning the business side of the fashion industry while building the brand, from sourcing products and understanding manufacturing to navigating marketing and partnerships.

Starting a brand also requires persistence and the willingness to keep going even when things take time to come together. Every step of the process has required research, patience, and faith in the vision behind Build-A-Bra.

Those experiences have only strengthened my commitment to the brand. They’ve reminded me that building something meaningful takes dedication, and it continues to push me to create a brand that truly supports and empowers women.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Building Confidence From the Foundation Up: Nylaaj’a Wilks on Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and the Mission Behind Build-A-Bra

Photo Courtesy: Nylaaj’a Wilks

Q: During Women’s History Month, many women are reflecting on their legacy and impact. What legacy do you hope Build-A-Bra leaves for future generations of women, both as consumers and as aspiring female founders?

I hope Build-A-Bra leaves a legacy of empowerment and representation. I want women to feel confident in their bodies and know they deserve products that fully support them, both physically and emotionally.”

For aspiring female founders, I hope my journey shows that it’s possible to turn a personal challenge into a meaningful business. If Build-A-Bra can inspire even one woman to pursue her vision, believe in herself, and create something impactful, that would mean everything to me.

Empowerment From the Inside Out

For Nylaaj’a Wilks, Build-A-Bra represents far more than a product; it’s a movement toward confidence, representation, and body acceptance. By addressing an everyday challenge many women face, she is transforming a deeply personal struggle into a powerful platform for empowerment.

As Women’s History Month reminds us, change often begins with one woman deciding that something can and should be better. Through Build-A-Bra, Wilks is proving that when women are supported at their foundation, there is no limit to how confidently they can show up in the world.

To learn more about Nylaaj’a Wilks and Build-A-Bra, visit the official website and follow the social media page on Instagram. 

Media inquiries and publicity requests can be sent to publicist Desirae L. Benson