On February 7, National Girls and Women in Sports day is celebrated to remember and honor the efforts put forth by female athletes to elevate and equate women’s athletics to men’s. This day is celebrated by athletes of all ages and levels, from younger recreational teams to collegiate athletes to professional Olympians. It is important to honor the tireless advocacy of former woman athletes and their persistence and resilience for equality in the face of much adversity.
High school athletics are crucial for the building of women’s sports, as this is usually the first level where many players play for a competitive institution. Softball is one of the only sports (in high school and college) where women are the only players. To share more about why the advancement and growth of this sport is so important, sophomore Maya Thaivalappil shares her thoughts, “little girls are now able to watch idols on television because you can find college softball games on many channels,” Thaivalappil said. “They get to be a part of a team and support system, which helps them deal with success as well as failures.”
Though there are still apparent gaps in the equality of women’s and men’s athletics, it is necessary to build from the work of the women that came before, and to continue the fight to equal opportunities, representation, and appreciation for women’s sports.
