Paula Scanlan is a former University of Pennsylvania swimmer who has become a prominent advocate for women's sports and free speech. She graduated in 2022 and was a member of the women's swimming and diving team, where she was a teammate of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. Scanlan gained significant public attention when she broke her silence in June 2023, sharing her experiences competing alongside Lia Thomas and the challenges she and other female athletes faced due to policies allowing biological males to compete in women's sports. She has spoken out about the emotional and psychological toll these policies took, as well as attempts by her university's administration and student body to silence dissent. Her activism extends to testifying before legislative bodies, including the U.S. House of Representatives and the Wisconsin General Assembly, advocating for policies that safeguard women's sports and single- spaces. She has partnered with organizations like the Independent Women's Forum and Independent Women's Voice as a spokeswoman and advisor, working to protect women's rights and opportunities in athletics. Scanlan has encouraged other female athletes to share their stories and join the movement to protect women's sports. She has also been featured in the documentary "What is a Woman?".