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Title IX Passes
One of the most important events in regards to women's participation in sports has to be the passing of Title IX by President Nixon in 1972. This act stated that no discrimination against gender in regards to educational programs and or any other activities that were aided by federal funds would be tolerated. At that the time of its passing, only 31,000 women were in college sports, and only $100,000 was spent nationwide on women's scholarships. This however would change, and new trends rose. -
Battle of the Sexes
At this point, the numbers of females participating in organized sport had rocketed. The tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs would only further increase these numbers. The match itself marked a very historical point for women in sports. King defeated Riggs in straight sets, despite Riggs being favored heavily. The match itself would encourage that women can compete in sport, and not only compete, but win. King became a household idol to many young female athletes. -
Women's Hall of Fame
The first Women's Sport Hall of Fame is created by the Women's Sport Foundation in 1980. The Hall of Fame awards the achievements by all female athletes and coaches on the field, and as well as in their community through their fights towards equal rights for women in sports. The Hall of Fame today has over 124 celebrated members, and chooses an induction class yearly to honor those who promote advancement for women in sports. -
Women in the Olympics
The 1908 Winter Olympic Games marked a huge achievement for all women in sports. The games held in Lake Placid had a total of 233 female athletes competing, which crushed the 21 who competed at the games held there in 1932. This female participation itself was important in showing that female athletes were becoming recognized on a global level, and that their events were taken just as serious as their male counterparts. -
Women Become the Judge
On May 10th, 1981, Betty Ellis became the first female to officiate at what was a professional soccer match in the North American Soccer League. Now not only becoming recognized as athletes, females were trusted into the positions of officials. Ellis would pave the way for many females who would desire to officiate in professional sport one day. Ellis who previously had been a California teacher, helped display that women too had a complex understanding for sport and what the rules of it entail -
Women's Sport Day
The first ever National Girls and Women Sports Day was held. The day itself is targeted to promoting involvement and achievement in women's sport, and also celebrated female athlete Flo Hyman for all her achievements towards equality for women in the playing field. The first ever NGWSD was held in Washington D.C, and is continued to be celebrated till this day!
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyoSnzWZnjQ -
Grants for Girls
The first ever Grants for Girls are awarded in 1990. The creation of the program was targeted to fund equipment and apparel for girl's sports programs across the country. Since its existence, the grants have raised well over $500,000 towards girl's sports. The program too is also marked responsible for being the predecessor to the GoGilrGo! Grants, which were created in 2002. In its first three years of existence, the GoGirlGo! Grants raised over $1 million towards female sports programs! -
1996 Olympics
The 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, GA marked a very important achievement credited to the funding aids of sports and programs for our youth. These games had a total of 45 participants who had been funded by different grants to compete for the United States. Many of these athletes were females including Mary Ellen Clark, Kerri Strug, and Brooke Bennett, all who received medals at the game for their respective sports. -
C'mon Mom!
The C'mon Mom! program was established on Mothers Day in the year 2000, and was established as program targeting mothers and their involvement in sport. The program was formed by the Women's Sport Foundation to help mom's become more involved on the sidelines, and to also become involved as volunteer coaches in their community. This they feel would allow our youth to have positive role models when it came to sports and fair play. The C'mon Mom! kit describes all rules and coaching tips. -
Title IX Report
The 2012 year marked the 35th anniversary of the passing of Title IX. The report was used to measure current women's participation in sports as athletes, officials, and administrators. The 35th anniversary itself reported record numbers in regards to a major increase in women's sport participation since its passing, and it also showed levels of increase and progression throughout the years of its existence.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azojfXzDIq4&feature=fvst
