National Girls and Women in Sports Day

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By Kendall Lafferty

On February 7th, the Scarlet Raptors celebrated the 38th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Founded in 1974 by legendary tennis player BIllie Jean Kings Women’s Sports Foundation, the day aims to celebrate women’s athletic opportunities. This day started as a way to recognize women in sports and bring national attention to the potential women have in the athletic world, and the first Girls and Women in Sports day was held in February of 1987 with the goal of advancing the lives of women and girls through sports. Today, National Girls and Women in Sports Day is a celebration of the accomplishments of girls and women in sports. The day is also meant to influence women to participate in sports, and to reach equality for women in sports.

Several female athletes at Rutger-Camden discussed the day and what it means to them. Senior softball captain Alexa Mcnee says she enjoys celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day because “I enjoy being around female athletes all the time and allowing them to inspire me to do new things. I hope to one day be able to inspire future generations of female athletes”. Junior soccer captain Hannah Crowley says “In today’s society, women in sports often go unrecognized and underrepresented. You can see in news everywhere; women typically attract less fans to games, get paid less professionally, but work just as hard. This day reminds women and girls across the world to be proud of themselves and their athletic accomplishments. Not only that, but this day also encourages women to support other women around them in the same situation. Therefore, creating a united front and confidence that sometimes can take a hit during their treacherous seasons and hard work. I love to use this day as a chance to look back on great victories with my teammates and my individual accomplishments”.

Although there was not much done around campus in celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the Rutgers-Camden female athletes found it important to recognize the accomplishments of themselves and their teammates. Female athletics have come a long way in just a short amount of time, and National Girls and Women in Sports Day aims to recognize and celebrate the successes of female athletes.

Sources

Billie Jean King. Women’s Sports Foundation. (2023, October 9). https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/athlete/billie-jean-king/

Women’s Sports Foundation: Billie Jean King. Billie Jean King Enterprises. (2017, September 15). https://www.billiejeanking.com/equality/womens-sports-foundation/