National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Historically avoided for reasons such as being “unladylike”, or myths as ridiculous as being bad for the reproductive system, sports have now been shown to provide a number of positive impacts on girls and women!
Celebrate female athletic achievement and inspire the next generation of women athletes while positioning your brand as a champion of gender equality in sports.
- Spotlight local female athletes in your community and share their stories of perseverance
- Highlight the health benefits of sports for girls: stronger bones, better mental health, reduced chronic illness risk
- Partner with women coaches and mentors to showcase role models breaking barriers in sports
- Launch a grassroots sponsorship or donation drive supporting girls' sports programs and Title IX initiatives
The first National Women in Sports Day was established in 1987 when United States President Ronald Reagan declared the day to be set aside to acknowledge the important part that women play in sports. The original day was set aside particularly to honor the participation of Flo Hyman, a volleyball player who worked hard to advocate for the equality of women in sports. Hyman died suddenly of a genetic disorder while participating in a volleyball tournament in Japan.
Since its origins, National Girls and Women in Sports Day has evolved to recognize all female athletes, whether professional, amateur or simply aspiring. In addition, the day is meant to celebrate the progress that was made when Title IX was passed in 1972, providing equal access to sports for girls in the United States.
Starting out with only women, the name was eventually changed to also include girls, and there are several organizations that make up the coalition behind the day. These include the Women’s Sports Foundation, Girls Inc., The National Women’s Law Center, as well as the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.
Recognized by schools, colleges, universities and other organizations that promote sports for girls and women, National Girls and Women in Sports Day honors the influence that sports and athletics have on the lives of women. This includes living a healthy and active lifestyle, building self confidence, helping learn how to work on a team and offering opportunities to develop leadership skills.
Sports have a huge positive impact on the lives of women! And National Girls and Women in Sports Day is here to raise awareness for and celebrate this fact while recognizing the women’s struggle for equality, in athletics as well as so many other arenas.
Support a Young Female Athlete
An excellent idea for celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day might be to start on a local level with a girl athlete in your life. Whether a daughter, granddaughter, neighbor or child of a friend, showing support and encouragement for local female athletes is a worthy cause. Whether it’s attending a soccer match to cheer them on or giving them a ride to gymnastics practice each week, girls need all the support they can get to live up to their potential in the world of sports! For those adults who are athletically inclined, even slightly, it might be fun to take this as an opportunity to volunteer to coach a girls sports team. Whether it’s girls in little league tee ball, elementary school softball or the high school girls’ volleyball team, coaching sports (or even just helping out) can be a fun adventure that builds community and shows vital support to the women of the future. Learn About the Benefits of Sports for GirlsGirls and women who participate in sports report various benefits. In addition to leadership and teamwork, girls in sports also may experience:Lower levels of depressionPhysical activity releases endorphins that fight off depression.Stronger bonesWomen athletes may have a reduced risk of osteoporosis compared to women who do not participate in sports.Fewer chronic illnessesGirls who participate in sports seem to have better immune systems and are less likely to have chronic illness later in life, like heart disease or diabetes.Healthier menstruationWomen who participate in sports typically have more regular periods with less cramping and discomfort.Reduced risky behaviorTeen girls who participate in athletics typically report less cigarette use, alcohol use, and illicit drug use, as well as fewer teen pregnancies. National Girls and Women in Sports Day FAQsWhat is the most popular women’s sport in the world?All over the globe, the most popular women’s sport is soccer, followed by others such as tennis and basketball.Why are women paid less in sports?US soccer has equal gender pay but other sports that draw less revenue pay their players less. [1]When did women’s sports begin?In the late 1800s, women began their own informal athletic clubs for tennis, croquet, bowling and more.[1]What is Title 9 in women’s sports?Title 9 requires girls and women athletes to be treated equally in educational institutions that receive federal funds. [1]Who was the first female athlete?In 1896, a Greek woman unofficially participated in the first modern Olympic Games by running the marathon course the day after the competition. [1]