The National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is an annual day of observance held during the first week of February to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, recognize the influence of sports participation for women and girls, and honor the progress and continuing struggle for equality for women in sports.
Each year since its inception in 1987, the
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washing ...
recognizes women's contributions to sports and society on a day during the first week of February. NGWSD is celebrated annually across the United States and features community-based events, notable women athletes, awards, and other activities. The events are organized by members of the National Girls & Women in Sports Day Coalition, including the
Women's Sports Foundation
The Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit charity focused on female involvement in sports. Founded in 1974 by tennis player Billie Jean King and initially supported by Olympic athletes Donna de Varona and Suzy Chaffe ...
,
National Women's Law Center
The National Women's Law Center (NWLC) is a United States non-profit organization founded by Marcia Greenberger in 1972 and based in Washington, D.C. The Center advocates for women's rights and LGBTQ rights through litigation and policy initiati ...
, the
President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
The President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition (PCSFN) is an American government organization that aims to "promote, encourage and motivate Americans of all ages to become physically active and participate in sports". It is part of the ...
, and
Girls, Inc.
Girls Inc. (established in 1864) is a United States 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which encourages girls to be "Strong, Smart, and Bold" through direct service and advocacy. The organization prioritizes equipping girls with the skills to na ...
History
On February 3, 1987, President
Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5606 declaring February 4, 1987, as National Women in Sports Day.
NGWSD was originally initiated in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player
Flo Hyman for her achievements and work for equality. Hyman died suddenly of
Marfan's Syndrome
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a multi-systemic genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue. Those with the condition tend to be tall and thin, with long arms, legs, fingers, and toes. They also typically have exceptionally flexible joints a ...
, 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 women athletes, their past and current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation for women, girls and society, as well as the progress made since
Title IX
Title IX is the most commonly used name for the federal civil rights law in the United States that was enacted as part (Title IX) of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other educat ...
was passed and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.
See also
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Title IX
Title IX is the most commonly used name for the federal civil rights law in the United States that was enacted as part (Title IX) of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other educat ...
*
Women's Sports Foundation
The Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit charity focused on female involvement in sports. Founded in 1974 by tennis player Billie Jean King and initially supported by Olympic athletes Donna de Varona and Suzy Chaffe ...
*
Women's sport
The participation of women and girls in sports, physical fitness and exercise, has been recorded to have existed throughout history. However, participation rates and activities vary in accordance with nation, era, geography, and stage of econ ...
Other holidays honoring women
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Susan B. Anthony Day (February 15)
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Rosa Parks Day
Rosa Parks Day is a holiday in honor of the civil rights leader Rosa Parks, celebrated in the U.S. states of California and Missouri on her birthday, February 4, in Michigan on the first Monday after her birthday, and in Ohio and Oregon on the day ...
(February 4 / December 1)
*
International Women's Day, (March 8)
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Harriet Tubman Day
Harriet Tubman Day is an American holiday in honor of the anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman, observed on March 10, and in the U.S. state of New York. Observances also occur locally around the U.S. state of Maryland. After Juneteenth became ...
(March 10)
*
World Female Ranger Day (June 23)
*
Helen Keller Day
Helen Keller Day is a commemorative holiday to celebrate the birth of Helen Keller, observed on June 27 annually. The holiday observance was created by presidential proclamation in 2006, as well as by international organizations, particularly t ...
(June 27)
*
Women's Equality Day
Nancy Pelosi, Anna Eshoo, Barbara Lee">Anna_Eshoo.html" ;"title="Nancy Pelosi, Anna Eshoo">Nancy Pelosi, Anna Eshoo, Barbara Lee and Jackie Speier on the 96th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, when women won the right to v ...
(August 26)
References
Further reading
* Blumenthal, Karen (2005), ''Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX: The Law That Changed the Future of Girls in America'', Simon and Schuster,
* Brake, Deborah (2010), ''Getting in the Game: Title IX and the Women's Sports Revolution'', NYU Press,
* Mitchell, Nicole; Ennis, Lisa A. (2007), ''Encyclopedia of Title IX and Sports'', Greenwood Publishing Group,
* O'Reilly, Jean; Cahn, Susan K. (2007), ''Women and Sports in the United States: A Documentary Reader'', UPNE,
* Woods, Ron (2015), ''Social Issues in Sport'', Human Kinetics, .
External links
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{{Public holidays in the United States
1987 establishments in the United States
Recurring events established in 1987
February observances
Women's sports in the United States
Women's Sports Foundation