Throughout history, there has been a continuous tumultuous fight for gender equality. Women in particular continue to enforce the right to pursue their passions, just like men. This sentiment is especially true in women’s athletics. Some people believed that women couldn’t play the same sports as men, let alone be exceptional at them. However, now, the sports industry is becoming more diverse. It seems people regardless of different gender, sexual orientation and race are competing. Sports still has a long way to go, especially in its treatment of Black female athletes.
When Did Women’s Athletics Start?
Although the law didn’t catch up until much later, women were always finding ways to showcase and practice their athletic interests. Before laws passed allowing them to compete professionally, women played sports recreationally and in informal groups. According to ESPN, around 30,000 women played college sports before legislation passed. Title IX paved the way for women to become professional athletes.
When Were Women Allowed in Sports?
President Richard Nixon’s signing of the Education Amendments of 1972 allowed more women in sports. These amendments included Title IX , which banned sex discrimination in education programs and activities. Title IX was the gateway for women to become professional athletes. It also allowed some form of equality in male dominated sports. Other notable milestones include the debut of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The league allowed women to play professional baseball to fill in the gap left by men who joined WWII. In addition, the 1900 Olympics were the first games to allow women to compete.
When Were Black Women Allowed in Sports?
The fight for Black women in professional sports was a lot harder. Even with the passage of Title IX, the federal law only prohibited sports discrimination based on gender, not race. Plus, desegregation in the American sports industry happened at different times, based on the sport. For example, Jackie Robinson was the first Black player in the major leagues in 1947, while Willie O’Ree became the first Black player for the National Hockey League in 1958. Like other Black athletes, Black women sports players had to break barriers to live their dream.
Who Was The First Black Female Athlete?
The first professional Black female athletes were Tidye Pickett and Louise Stokes. In 1936, these phenomenal women became the first Black women to compete in that year’s Olympics. Surprisingly, both women qualified to compete in the 1932 Olympics. They were gearing up to compete when white women suddenly replaced them. and had to watch from the sidelines. Representing the United States, Pickett competed in the 80-meter hurdles at the Summer Games in Berlin. Stokes on the other hand joined the U.S. team for the 400-meter relay. Following the 1936 Olympics, Stokes founded the Colored Women’s Bowling League in 1941.
Who Were Some Historical Black Female Athletes?
Along with Pickett and Stokes, many other Black women continued to pave the way in sports. Professional tennis player and golfer Althea Gibson became the first African American to win a Grand Slam in 1956. In 1992, Lusia Harris made history as the first African American woman inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Black Women in Sport Foundation was established that same year. Founded by Dr. Alpha Alexander, Dr. Nikki Franke, Tina Sloan Green and Linda Greene, the organization helps more Black women and girls get involved in sports.