February 1 was National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Not many people know about this day, but it has been celebrated across the country for thirty-one years. It is simply a day to recognize the different achievements in women’s sports.

I only just found out about this day this year, however, the tradition began in 1987. Part of the reason that it was started was to recognize Flo Hyman, an Olympic volleyball player, for her work in promoting equality in women’s sports. She died in 1986 of Marfan’s Syndrome, which is a genetic disorder that causes problems with connective tissues throughout the body. Many other elite athletes since then have helped to raise awareness of this day to celebrate the many positive influences that sports have on girls and women.

The theme of this year’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day was Expanding Opportunity. The goal is to recognize the progress inspired by Title IX and to continue to promote access to sports for females of all ages. For those that are not familiar with Title IX, it is part of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 that states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Even though women’s equality has come a long way, currently only forty percent of high school girls are playing sports.

The goal of National Girls and Women in Sports Day is to empower girls and get more of them involved in sports. Research has found that girls who play sports have “better health, higher self-esteem, stronger leadership skills, greater academic achievement and economic opportunity.” Women’s equality still has a way to go before it will be at a fair and acceptable level, and making women into stronger leaders through things such as sports is one valuable ideal. I hope that this day will continue to become more recognized each year across America, so that the many accomplishments of female athletes are able to be celebrated as they deserve to be.

Click HERE to read some stories about women who are making leaps for NGWSD and for women’s equality & look for the hashtag NGWSD to see more.

Sources:

http://ngwsd.org/about/

https://www.marfan.org/about/marfan

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/inclusion/title-ix-frequently-asked-questions