Women in Sports History

Since 1987, the first Wednesday in February has been designated as National Girls and Women in Sports Day, recognizing student-athletes, champion athletes, coaches, administrators and lawmakers committed to providing equitable access to sports for all girls and women.

This year’s festivities on Feb. 2 also kicked off a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the legislation that provided that access: Title IX.

At the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, more American women stood atop the medal podium than ever before. Sixty-six of Team USA’s 113 total medals were won by women. Gold medalists April Ross (beach volleyball) and Katie Ledecky (swimming) were among the many who credit Title IX for creating the opportunities they had to train, compete and succeed.

Growing Bolder celebrates the ‘lost generation’ of women, those in school before the 1972 passage of Title IX, whose only option for sports was cheerleading. Denied then, today they are excelling in masters sports and realizing the many physical, mental, emotional and social benefits of participation. Growing Bolder is proud to honor their accomplishments and share their inspiration as part of our on-going coverage of the National Senior Games May 10-23, 2022 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

The passage of Title IX enabled girls to play sports in school by stating:

“No person in the United States shall, based on sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”