On February 3, 2010, thousands of sports educators, coaches, athletic directors, recreation directors, association members, sponsors, students, and parents across the country will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day and this year's theme, "Stay Strong, Play On."
Athletes like Martina Navratilova, Candace Parker or Jessica Mendoza who played or are still playing are making a difference, overcoming difficult circumstances, breaking records and making things possible.
Despite the stunning advances made in the 38 years since Title IX was enacted, high school girls still receive 1.3 million fewer participation opportunities than do boys, and evidence suggests that the money spent on girls' sports programs lags significantly behind the money spent on boys' programs.
NGWSD is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies, and activities honoring the achievements and encouraging participation of girls and women in sports.
NGWSD began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman
for her athletic achievements and her work to assure equality for women's sports. Hyman died of Marfan's Syndrome in 1986 while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan. Since that time, NGWSD has evolved into a day to acknowledge the past and recognize current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation, and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.
NGWSD is jointly organized by the National Girls and Women in Sport Coalition. The Coalition combines the experience and resources of the five premiere girls and women-serving organizations in the United States: Girl Scouts of the USA, Girls Incorporated, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport,National Women's Law Center and the Women's Sports Foundation.
Collectively, these organizations have been in existence for over 427 years and have a membership reach of 5.5 million girls and women.
For more information on NGWSD and the NAGWS, please click here.
- From the National Association of Girls and Women in Sport website
