National Girls & Women in Sports Day 2024 – Quotes, Cards & Activities

National Girls & Women in Sports Day is celebrated on February 1st every year in the United States. This day honors the achievements of female athletes, recognizes the influence of sports participation for women and girls, and highlights the positive influence of sports in young women’s lives.

When did National Girls & Women in Sports Day start?

National Girls & Women in Sports Day was established in 1987 by the U.S. Congress as Public Law 100-647. This law designated February 1st as the annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day.

The day was chosen to commemorate the first Olympic competition that allowed women’s participation in 1921.

Why was National Girls & Women in Sports Day established?

National Girls & Women in Sports Day was established for several key reasons:

• To acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes and leaders in women’s sports.
• To recognize the positive influence of sports participation for women and girls.
• To highlight the discrimination women faced in sports and the ongoing fight for equality.
• To encourage women and girls to participate in sports and physical activities.
• To provide role models and encourage leadership opportunities for women in sports.

The establishment of this special day marked an important milestone in supporting and empowering women in sports.

Who established National Girls & Women in Sports Day?

National Girls & Women in Sports Day was established by the U.S. Congress with the passing of Public Law 100-647 in 1987.

The law was introduced by Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT) and Representative James V. Hansen (R-UT). It had bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on November 10, 1988.

The establishment of National Girls & Women in Sports Day was a landmark achievement of the women’s sports movement in the 1980s. Many individuals and organizations had advocated for greater equality and participation opportunities for women in sports.

The Importance and Impact of National Girls & Women in Sports Day

National Girls & Women in Sports Day celebrates the achievements of female athletes and highlights the positive benefits of sports participation for women and girls. This special day continues to have an important purpose and impact.

Recognizing Progress in Women’s Sports

National Girls & Women in Sports Day honors the progress made in providing sports opportunities for women and girls.

Since the first Olympic competition opened to women in the 1920s, female participation in sports has grown exponentially. Many barriers have been broken and milestones achieved by pioneering female athletes and leaders.

This day provides an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the advancements made in women’s sports over the decades.

Promoting Equality and Access

While tremendous progress has been made, National Girls & Women in Sports Day also highlights the continuing need to promote equality and access for women in sports.

In 1972, Title IX legislation barred sex discrimination in educational programs including athletics. However, disparities still remain in some areas such as media coverage, facilities, coaching, and leadership opportunities.

This special day brings awareness to these ongoing inequalities and the continued fight for fair treatment.

Empowering Women and Girls

Participation in sports and physical activity provides invaluable benefits for women and girls. National Girls & Women in Sports Day emphasizes the positive effects of empowering females through sports.

Research shows that playing sports can boost girls’ confidence and self-esteem, improve health and fitness, build leadership skills, and encourage positive body image. Sports also provide girls with strong female role models to look up to.

This special day promotes the empowerment of women and girls through athletic participation and highlights the need to further expand opportunities.

Inspiring Active Lifestyles

National Girls & Women in Sports Day aims to motivate women and girls to live active, healthy lifestyles.

Sports participation provides many physical and mental health benefits. It helps develop healthy habits, combat obesity and chronic disease, relieve stress, and boost energy levels.

This day inspires women and girls to get active and incorporate sports and exercise into their daily lives. It also promotes access to sports programs and facilities that make active living possible.

Recognizing Contributions of Female Athletes

National Girls & Women in Sports Day honors the amazing contributions of female athletes as role models, leaders and change-makers.

The groundbreaking accomplishments of sports icons like Wilma Rudolph, Billie Jean King, and Serena Williams opened doors for future generations. The hard work of female athletes continues to inspire girls around the world to believe in themselves.

This special day is an opportunity to celebrate these trailblazers and the achievements of women at all levels of sports. Their dedication and leadership continue to pave the way forward for women in sports.

Supporting Equality Movements

National Girls & Women in Sports Day is tied to broader equality movements for women’s empowerment and gender rights.

Progress for women in sports represents progress for women in all spheres of society. As legendary tennis player Arthur Ashe said, “Sport has the power to change the world…It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”

This special day builds momentum for advancing women by highlighting the achievements and untapped potential of girls and women in sports.

How to Celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day

There are many great ways to celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day and get involved! Here are some ideas:

Attend or Host an Event

• Attend local sports clinics, games, meets, or celebrations hosted in your community.
• Organize an empowerment event at a school, gym, or league.
• Partner with women’s sports teams or organizations to host an event. Activities can include games, motivational talks, awards, workshops, and more.

Promote and Support Women’s Sports

• Post on social media using the hashtag #NGWSD to raise awareness. Share news stories spotlighting female athletes and their achievements.
• Watch and share women’s sports games and events.
• Advocate for equitable facilities, equipment, resources and coverage of women’s sports in your school or community.
• Write letters recognizing contributions of female coaches, teams, and athletic programs in your area.

Provide Sports Access and Encourage Participation

• Volunteer to coach or assist with girls’ sports teams and programs.
• Donate gently used sports equipment to increase access for girls.
• Offer scholarships, discounts, or fundraise to support underserved girls’ participation.
• Ask girls about their favorite sports activities and encourage them to get involved.

Educate Girls on Benefits of Sports

• Teach girls about Title IX and share women’s sports history.
• Discuss research on the physical, mental, social, and leadership benefits of playing sports.
• Highlight inspiring stories of female athlete role models making a difference on and off the field.

Celebrate Women’s Achievements

• Honor trailblazers who broke barriers for women in sports.
• Recognize achievements of female athletes, coaches, officials, administrators.
• Applaud women and girls reaching their athletic goals and personal records.

Quotes for National Girls & Women in Sports Day

Here are inspirational quotes perfect for National Girls & Women in Sports Day:

Female Empowerment Quotes

“Sport has the power to empower women and girls, to overcome discrimination and fight gender stereotypes.” – Simone Biles

“Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose-it teaches you about life.” – Billie Jean King

“Exercise should be regarded as tribute to the heart.” – Genevieve Behrend

“You have to train your mind as well as your body.” – Jackie Joyner-Kersee

“Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?” – John Keats

Confidence and Self-Esteem Quotes

“Power is not given. Power is taken.” – Babe Didrikson Zaharias

“Sports don’t build character. They reveal it.” – John Wooden

“Strong women only become stronger when faced with adversity.” – Serena Williams

“It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.” – Muhammad Ali

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald Walsch

Teamwork and Leadership Quotes

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” – Phil Jackson

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Beverly Sills

“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” – Rosalynn Carter

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” – Warren Bennis

Motivational Quotes for Girls

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden

“You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here. This moment is yours.” – Hermann Maier

“She turned her can’ts into cans and her dreams into plans.” – Kobi Yamada

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” – Norman Vincent Peale

“The marathon continues.” – Kathrine Switzer

Cards and Messages for National Girls & Women in Sports Day

Share inspirational cards and messages to celebrate female athletes on this special day!

Card Messages

• You inspire girls everywhere to dream big! Happy National Girls & Women in Sports Day!
• Your strength and spirit shine on and off the field. Happy NGWSD!
• Game on girl! Wishing you a winning National Girls & Women In Sports Day.
• You make women proud whenever you lace up – today and every day. Happy NGWSD!
• Your hard work and dedication are changing the game for women in sports. Happy National Girls & Women in Sports Day!

Social Media Messages

• Today we celebrate all the groundbreaking female athletes who paved the way for generations to come! #NGWSD
• Elite or amateur, professional or college, young or old – women athletes deserve equal opportunities to play! #NGWSD
• Exercise your power on National Girls & Women in Sports Day!
• Ladies, let no one tell you you’re not strong enough, talented enough or brave enough this #NGWSD and every day.
• Game recognizes game! Shout out to all the queens dominating their sport today and every day! 👑🏀⚾🏈⚽ #NGWSD

Activities for National Girls & Women in Sports Day

There are tons of fun ways to get active and celebrate female empowerment through sports on National Girls & Women in Sports Day!

Attend a Women’s Sporting Event

Attend a game or match to cheer on your favorite women’s team! Basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball games take place year-round at schools and clubs. Check for upcoming events near you.

Hold a Sports Clinic

Organize a free sports clinic with women coaches and players as instructors. Clinics can teach skills for soccer, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, field hockey, rugby, skating, and more based on interest. Give girls a chance to try out new sports!

Organize Games and Contests

Host an afternoon of various games and contests like free throw shootouts, obstacle courses, relay races, or skills competitions. Give out fun prizes and focus on participation over competition.

Watch an Inspiring Sports Movie

Get motivated by watching an inspiring female-focused sports movie like A League of Their Own, Bend it Like Beckham, Love & Basketball, or I, Tonya. Discuss as a family or group.

Learn About Female Athletes

Research groundbreaking female athletes throughout history who broke down barriers like Wilma Rudolph, Althea Gibson, Kathrine Switzer, Mia Hamm, Venus and Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and more.

Attend a Women’s Sports Rally

Look for sports rallies or assemblies hosted at schools and community centers celebrating NGWSD. Attend to hear motivational speakers and watch game demos.

Write about Your Sports Role Models

Write an essay about your own female sports idols and how they inspire you to pursue your athletic dreams. Share on social media using #NGWSD.

Conclusion

National Girls & Women in Sports Day on February 1st serves as an important reminder to acknowledge female achievements in athletics and expand participation opportunities.

Since its establishment in 1987, this special day has recognized the amazing progress of women’s sports while continuing to promote gender equality and access. Participating in sports provides invaluable benefits for women and girls physically, mentally, and socially.

National Girls & Women in Sports Day honors female athlete role models, inspires active lifestyles, and rallies support for women’s empowerment through sports. Everyone can join in celebrating by attending events, promoting women’s athletics, volunteering, sharing motivational messages, and getting active!

The barrier-breaking accomplishments of women in sports prove that playing like a girl rocks! Let’s make every day a great day for girls and women in sports.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About National Girls & Women in Sports Day

Here are answers to common questions about National Girls & Women in Sports Day:

What is National Girls & Women in Sports Day?

National Girls & Women in Sports Day is an annual day celebrated on February 1st to recognize female achievement in athletics, promote women & girls participation in sports, and honor the progress of women’s sports equality.

When did National Girls and Women in Sports Day start?

National Girls & Women in Sports Day was first established in 1987 by the U.S. Congress with the passing of Public Law 100-647. It is celebrated annually on February 1st.

Why is it celebrated on February 1st?

February 1st was chosen because it is the date of the first Olympic competition that allowed women’s participation in 1921.

Who established National Girls & Women in Sports Day?

This special day was established by Congress as Public Law 100-647, introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch and Rep. James Hansen, and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1987.

What is the purpose of the day?

The purpose is to acknowledge female athletic achievements, highlight the positive benefits of sports for women, encourage participation, fight discrimination, and promote equality and access in women’s sports.

How can I celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day?

Great ways to celebrate include attending women’s sporting events, holding sports clinics and contests for girls, watching sports movies, learning about female athlete role models, sharing inspirational messages on social media, and more!

What is Title IX and its role in women’s sports?

Title IX is a 1972 law that protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs including athletics. It significantly expanded sports opportunities for girls and women. National Girls & Women in Sports Day builds on its progress.

Who are some important figures in women’s sports history?

Key figures include Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Billie Jean King, Wilma Rudolph, Patsy Mink, Cheryl Miller, Pat Summitt, Venus and Serena Williams, Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Simone Biles, and more.

Where can I find more resources about National Girls & Women in Sports Day?

Visit the Women’s Sports Foundation website at www.womenssportsfoundation.org for more history, facts, resources and ways to get involved with National Girls & Women in Sports Day.