National Girls and Women in Sports Day: Celebrate the Day!

On February 3, 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5606 declaring February 4, 1987, as National Women in Sports Day. The Proclamation states, “In recognition of the contributions women’s sports have made to this country, and of the need to further advance women’s sports, the Congress, by Public Law 99-540, has designated February 4, 1987, as ‘National Women in Sports Day’ and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event.”

Now referred to as National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), it is an annual day of observation held during the first week of February to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of female athletes.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day was originally started as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her achievements and work for equality. Hyman died suddenly of Marfan Syndrome, a genetic disorder of the connective tissue, in 1986 while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan. Since then, the day of observance has evolved to recognize all female athletes, their past and current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation for girls and women as well as the progress made since Title IX was passed in 1972.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day has been a vehicle to commemorate all female athletes, their achievements, the positive impacts of inclusion of girls and women in sports, and to address the challenges regarding equal participation of girls and women in sports activities. The day appreciates the progression made since the enactment of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 that essentially changed the women’s narrative in sports.

Title IX legislation calls for equal participation of males and females in all programs and activities in a school that receives federal funding. All public schools and many private schools receive federal funding and must ensure equal sports opportunities and equitable treatment to students regardless of gender. Although Title IX is a broad-based anti-gender discrimination statute, its impact on athletics for girls and women has been profound. In 1971, one in 27 girls played high school sports. Today, that statistic is one in 2.5.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day is celebrated to recognize and break down the gender stereotypes built around the sports industry and building the narrative that girls and women belong and have a place in every aspect of sports. The celebration of NGWSD helps convey the importance of being physically active and encourages girls and women to realize their full potential.

NGWSD appreciates the achievements of female coaches and athletes and acknowledges the role of sports to help further their potential. National Girls and Women in Sports Day provides an opportunity for schools to celebrate the strong girls and women within athletics and those who paved the way and brought inspiration to today’s female athletes.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day is celebrated in all 50 states. The day is celebrated in many ways to recognize girls and women through community events, award ceremonies, and other sports activities that inspire girls and women to play sports and be active.

Following are ways to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day:

• Shout Out to Coaches. School athletics programs would be nowhere without coaches. Coaches inspire, support and mentor. They help athletes visualize their success. Without them, many young female athletes would never know the potential or future they have in their sport. Find ways to recognize and acknowledge coaches who have impacted female athletes in the school’s athletics program.

• Spotlight Alumni. The growth in girls’ and women’s sports is happening now. That means that recent alumni of a school, team or program are the game-changers making a real-time impact. Remind people in the school-community that they mold not just incredible athletes, but incredible history-makers as well.

• Share Inspiration from School Leaders. Girls’ and women’s sports can’t continue to grow without devoted female leadership. Take a moment to spotlight the women and men who have pursued the office side of sports – administrators, secretaries, athletic directors, and other athletic department personnel as well as school board members. Share their stories, highlight their journeys, and inspire the next generation of female sports leaders.

• Highlight Student-Athletes. Celebrate your current athletes all the time. Give the school-community opportunities to recognize and rally behind them. The more encouragement they get now, the more likely they are to continue their journey in sports.

• Promote Girls Events. One of the most important things school personnel can do as a coach or administrator in the world of amateur girls’ and women’s sports is promote them. Get fans to come out for games, meets and events. Sell tickets and merchandise, and create a fan experience just the school would do for boys sports. Encourage boys’ teams to attend girls’ events to show support and to recognize girls as athletes.

• College Athlete Visits. Arrange for college athletes to visit middle schools and high schools to discuss the life of a successful female in collegiate sports. Hold a “breakfast of champions” or a “female student-athlete summit” event and invite a few local female standouts or expand and create a leadership conference or series of visits with female coaches or retired players. Proactively reach out to community organizations, such as Women’s Sports Foundation (www.womenssportsfoundation.org) or Girls, Inc. (www.girlsinc.org) that provide resources to connect schools with girls who may need to hear messages of perseverance the most.

• Wall of Honor. Organize and construct a “wall of honor” with sports photos and memorabilia showcasing the athletic achievements of girls and women at the school. A “wall of honor” provides a venue for students and staff to learn more about the pioneers in sports that came before them. Resources may include the local public library, school historic archives, The Olympic Channel, or You- Tube and other social media platforms.

• Movie Party. Organize and provide a movie party that focuses on girls and women in sports. Potential movies might include: “A League of Their Own,” “Love and Basketball,” “The Mighty Macs,” “Million Dollar Baby,” “Ice Castles,” “The Longshots,” “National Velvet,” “Bend it Like Beckham,” “Heart Like a Wheel,” “Little Giants,” “The Next Karate Kid,” “The Cutting Edge,” “The Miracle of Kathy Miller,” “Girlfight,” “The Heart of the Game,” “Gracie,” “Whip It,” “The Winning Season,” “Blue Crush” and “30 for 30: Dream On.” Focus on movies that inspire female athletes and remember that positive pop culture representations matter. An alternative idea is to organize a book club with similar themes.

• Host a sports clinic. Some sports have traditionally offered greater opportunities for participation and access for girls than others, so hosting a day of workshops for sports that do not always get the attention or limelight such as lacrosse, hockey, martial arts, golf, wrestling, flag football and other options are great ways for girls to try out something new.

• Use School and Local Voices. Contact representatives in Congress and encourage others to do the same. Ask them to continue supporting girls and women in sports and the efforts of Title IX in schools. Consider writing an op-ed article or working with school representatives and administrators to raise awareness through printed posters that explain and celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Take the opportunity to educate school boards and school committees.

The foundation for the success of girls’ and women’s sports is laid at the youth and high school levels. In a school’s middle school and high school programs, administrators can set the tone for how girls’ and women’s sports are perceived by the school-community. School leaders should lift female athletes up, build their fanbase, and connect them with mentors who embody the possibilities to achieve success in life through participation in the school’s education- based athletics program. The confidence, strength and character gained through sports participation are the very tools girls and women need to become strong leaders in sports and in life.