Women in Sports History ~ Key Milestones

Since March is Women's History Month, it's a good time to share this post about women in sports.

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The first recorded women's athletic event/competition was the Heraean Games, held in the 6th century BCE.  The Heraean Games were similar to the ancient Olympic games but they were for women only and celebrated the goddess Hera.  The historical timeline of women in sports shows that women have been active athletes and have participated in a wide range of competitions including, but not limited to, the Heraean Games, Tsu Chu (ancient Chinese football; also called Cuju), regatta (boat races), golf, cricket, baseball, ice skating, swimming, tennis, hockey and boxing matches.

Women in Boxing?  People did not take women in this sport seriously until the 70s.  In 2012, Women's Boxing became an official Olympic Sport and Nicola Adams (representing Great Britain) won the gold medal. (Ref:  Encyclopedia Brittanica)

Female gladiators are a part of the history of women in sports.  A relief from Halicarnassus (Modern Turkey) shows two female gladiators, one named Amazon and the other named Achilia (the female version of Achilles). The relief celebrates the missio (honorable release) of two female fighters. The relief is on display now at the British Museum.

⭐ Key Milestones in Women’s Sports History

Women Enter the Olympics (1900)

• 1900 – First female Olympians
  Women compete in the Olympic Games for the first time, entering sailing, lawn tennis, and golf. Charlotte Cooper becomes the first female Olympic gold medalist.

International Olympic Committee. Women in the Olympic Movement. IOC, 2024.

Women’s World Games (1922)

• 1922 – Establishment of the Women’s World Games
  Alice Milliat launches an international competition to push for women’s inclusion in global athletics, influencing the IOC to expand women’s events.

Cahn, Susan K. Coming on Strong: Gender and Sexuality in Twentieth-Century Women’s Sport. Harvard UP, 1994.

Gertrude Ederle Swims the English Channel (1926)

• 1926 – Gertrude Ederle swims the English Channel
  She becomes the first woman to complete the swim—and beats the men’s record by nearly two hours.

Gibson, Karen. Gertrude Ederle: America’s Champion Swimmer. Scholastic, 2004.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias at the 1932 Olympics

• 1932 – Babe Didrikson Zaharias dominates the Olympics
  A multi-sport powerhouse, she wins medals in hurdles, javelin, and high jump, redefining expectations for women athletes.

Lester, Larry. Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The Making of a Champion. Greenwood Press, 2005.

All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943)

• 1943 – All-American Girls Professional Baseball League founded. One of the first major professional leagues for women was created during World War II.

Madden, W. C. The Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. McFarland, 2005.

Fanny Blankers-Koen’s Four Olympic Golds (1948)

• 1948 – Fanny Blankers-Koen wins four Olympic golds
  Nicknamed “The Flying Housewife,” she challenges stereotypes about motherhood and athleticism.

Guttmann, Allen. The Olympics: A History of the Modern Games. University of Illinois Press, 2002.

Althea Gibson Wins Grand Slams (1956)

• 1956 – Althea Gibson breaks tennis color barriers
  She becomes the first Black player to win a Grand Slam title.

Gibson, Althea. I Always Wanted to Be Somebody. Harper, 1958.

Kathrine Switzer Runs the Boston Marathon (1967)

• 1967 – Kathrine Switzer runs the Boston Marathon
  Entering under “K.V. Switzer,” she becomes the first woman to officially complete the race despite attempts to remove her mid-course.

Switzer, Kathrine. Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women’s Sports. Da Capo Press, 2007.

Title IX Legislation (1972)

• 1972 – Title IX passes in the U.S.
  A landmark law that transforms women’s sports participation—from 1 in 27 girls in high school sports to nearly 1 in 2 today.

U.S. Department of Education. Title IX and Sex Discrimination. 2024.

Billie Jean King and the “Battle of the Sexes” (1973)

• 1973 – Billie Jean King wins the “Battle of the Sexes.”
  Her victory over Bobby Riggs becomes a cultural flashpoint for gender equality in sports.

King, Billie Jean. All In: An Autobiography. Knopf, 2021.

Launch of the WNBA (1996)

• 1996 – Launch of the WNBA
  A major step in establishing long-term professional opportunities for women in team sports.

Lipsyte, Robert. “Women’s Basketball League Is Born.” The New York Times, 25 Apr. 1996.

Women Compete in Every Olympic Sport (2012)

• 2012 – Women compete in every Olympic sport
  For the first time, all Olympic sports include women’s events, marking a global milestone.

International Olympic Committee. London 2012: Women’s Participation Report. IOC, 2012.

U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Equal Pay Agreement (2022)

• 2022 – U.S. Women’s Soccer achieves equal pay
  A landmark agreement sets a new standard for pay equity in international sports.

Das, Andrew. “U.S. Soccer and Women’s Team Agree to Equal Pay.” The New York Times, 22 Feb. 2022.

2023 — Nebraska’s “Volleyball Day” Breaks the All-Time Women’s Sports Attendance Record

• More than 92,000 fans filled Memorial Stadium to watch Nebraska volleyball, setting the largest crowd ever recorded for a women’s sporting event and redefining expectations for women’s live sports.

“Olympics.com: Three Women’s Sports Stories That Helped Shape 2023.” Olympics.com, International Olympic Committee, 2023.

2024 — Paris 2024 Becomes the First Gender Equal Olympic Games

• The Paris Olympics achieved full gender parity in athlete participation and dramatically expanded women’s sports visibility across global broadcast and digital platforms.

“Facts and Figures: Women in Sport.” UN Women Knowledge Portal, UN Women, 17 July 2024.

2025 — Women’s Sports Reach 20% of Total Sports Media Coverage

• For the first time in history, women’s sports approached 20% of all sports media coverage, marking a structural shift in visibility after decades of single-digit representation.

“Facts and Figures: Women in Sport.” UN Women Knowledge Portal, UN Women, 17 July 2024.

Flo-Jo: The Fastest Girl In The World

Last but not least, there's no way I should publish a post about women in sports and leave out my favorite female athlete of ALL TIME! Florence Griffith‑Joyner (1959-1998), aka “Flo‑Jo” - The Fastest Woman in History.

• Florence Griffith‑Joyner, known worldwide as Flo‑Jo, electrified track and field with her record‑shattering speed and unmistakable style. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, she set the still‑unbroken world records in the 100m (10.49) and 200m (21.34), cementing her as the fastest woman ever. With her flowing one‑legged bodysuits and bold nails, she became a global icon whose influence stretched far beyond the track.

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OK! I'm done. 😁

Celebrating Womens History Month With My Childhood Memories of Elizabeth Arden

When I was growing up in Miami, Florida, my favorite department store was Burdine’s. It no longer exists. It was bought by Macy’s. Macy’s may have bought the store, but they did not buy my memories. I still have them, and they are intact. One of my memories that is crystal clear was the perfume counter. You could find all kinds of high-quality perfumes and fragrances, such as Elizabeth Arden. To me, the letters “E” and “A” in that name mean exquisite and alluring fragrances for women.

The real name of the woman who started this American company was Florence Nightingale Graham. She attended nursing school in Canada for a while, but eventually dropped out. She moved to America (Manhattan, New York), lived with her brother, and began to pursue her own interests in developing skincare, makeup, and other beauty products for women.

She entered into a business partnership with another woman by the name of Elizabeth Hubbard; however, the partnership only lasted for 6 months. From that point forward, she was determined to establish her presence in the business world on her own. She took the first name of her business partner, “Elizabeth,” and the name of a farm, “Arden,” and created the trade name in 1909. It is now 2026, which means that, for over a century, America (and the rest of the world, as her products are sold in over 20 countries), has associated that trade name with the most desired beauty products for women. Elizabeth Arden products include a wide range of fragrances, cosmetics, and skincare essentials.

Ms. Graham passed away in 1966 at the age of 87. She is buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in NewYork. The name on her grave is Elizabeth N. Graham. She is, without a doubt, one of the most inspiring and phenomenal businesswomen of the 20th century.

• FUN FACT:  Ms. Arden was the 1st to introduce matching nail polish to your lipstick! #VintageAd

(Image credit: Elizabeth Arden Products Sold at Selfridges, Flickr.com) 

RECAP Fascinating Facts about Elizabeth Arden

1. Her real name was Florence Nightingale Graham, and she was born in Canada. Elizabeth Arden was incorporated into an episode of Murdoch Mysteries under her birth name, Florence Nightingale Graham, in Season 12, Episode 7 (“Operation: Murder”). She later created the name “Elizabeth Arden” by combining “Elizabeth” (to save money on signage) with “Arden”, taken from a nearby farm. (Source)

2. She built one of the world’s first global beauty empires. By 1929, she owned 150 beauty salons across the U.S. and Europe, and her company sold 1,000 beauty products in 22 countries. (Source)

3. She helped make makeup socially acceptable for “respectable” women. Before Arden, cosmetics were often associated with actresses or “low-class” women. She revolutionized beauty culture by teaching women how to use makeup and promoting it as elegant, scientific, and ladylike. (Source)

--- Learn More:

Daily, Investor’s Business. “Elizabeth Arden Created Worldwide Cosmetics Industry.” Investor’s Business Daily, 26 Aug. 2015.

Kimmer, Retro. “WAR PAINT: ELIZABETH ARDEN - VS-  HELENA RUBINSTEIN.” RetroKimmer.Com, 14 Jan. 2011. 

View Elizabeth Arden products here.

Women in Education Who Promote Human Rights: Jovita Idar

Spotlight on activist, journalist & teacher - Jovita Idár. She had a huge impact on early movements for the civil rights of Mexican-Americans in the United States and took action to ensure that Mexican-American students had access to educational opportunities.

Image credit: Twitter

That's an incredible thought.  Because my mother was not educated.  But she strove hard to try to get all of her children educated.  My oldest brother once remarked that if our mother had been educated she would have been unstoppable!

I understood what my brother meant.  However, my observation of my mother is very different from my brother's.  My mother may have not been formally educated, but she was very wise.  Her advice and guidance for life to all of us was profound and enlightening.  She wasn't educated but she sure wasn't ignorant!  

I think to make sure this quote is properly applied we need to clearly define what it truly means to be educated.  What do you think?

Original Source

Women in Education Who Promote Human Rights: Malala Yousafzai.

Nobody can write about honoring women in history, praising their strength, endurance, and determination, without mentioning this young lady, Malala Yousafzai.  All she wanted was an education and spoke out publicly about that.  Some people thought she should be silenced for that.  Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist and the youngest-ever recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize. The cowardly and failed attempt to assassinate her pushed her onto the world stage and into a shining spotlight that shows no signs of dimming.  A noble child who lived and grew up to become a noble woman.

* “Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls' Rights” by Malala Yousafzai

Malala Fund is working for a world where every girl can learn and lead.

Original Source

Women Who Define the Word "Noble"

In the English language, the word “noble” has two different meanings. It can be used if you are describing someone belonging to a family or a class of people with a high social or political standing. Then there’s another meaning. It is when you describe someone who possesses admirable personal qualities and characteristics and strives to live their lives in accordance with certain principles or ideals aimed at making the lives of everyone better. I’m using the second definition.

This list was inspired by the official Twitter account for Noble Women. Oops! That was an intentional misspelling. The name of the account is Nobel Women. But the account owners will likely agree that the misspelled word is a more accurate description. You think?

#1 Who’s Got the Power?

#MondayMotivation from literary maven and original #feminist Mary Shelley! pic.twitter.com/sBlg4upPPq

— Nobel Women (@NobelWomen) October 16, 2017

Amen! Totally agree with Ms. Shelly. It's not about being the Lady Lord, cracking a whip, and putting men in their place. Because we're all in the same place. That place being? In control of our own lives.

* Mary Shelley (1797 – 1851): most people know her name because she's the woman who wrote “Frankenstein”.


#2 Who is Samantha Power?

#SundayFoodForThought from @AmbassadorPower #Equality #Justice #StandTogether #Women #Quotes #Feminism pic.twitter.com/J6VHY0gGRx

— Nobel Women (@NobelWomen) February 21, 2016

Samantha Power served as the US Ambassador to the United Nations from 2013 – 2017. She began her professional career in 1993 as a war correspondent and from that point forward she has worn many hats. She has been active in politics, authored several books, and her most noteworthy work deals with her crusades against genocides. Forbes once included her on their official list of “The World's 100 Most Powerful Women List”. She probably would have preferred being referred to as “passionate” as opposed to “powerful”. You think?


#3 A Noble Child Who Became a Noble Woman

Congrats to #Malala, winner of the Intl Children's Peace Prize! Laureate Tawakkol Karman to deliver award on Sep 6: http://t.co/PCWuKcwKQx

— Nobel Women (@NobelWomen) August 27, 2013

Nobody can write about honoring women in history, praising their strength, endurance, and determination, without mentioning this young lady, Malala Yousafzai. All she wanted was an education and spoke out publicly about that. Some people thought she should be silenced for that. The cowardly and failed attempt to assassinate her pushed her onto the world stage and into a shining spotlight that shows no signs of dimming. A noble child who lived and grew up to become a noble woman.

“Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls' Rights” by Malala Yousafzai


#4 But What Can an Educated Woman Do?

#FeministFriday from activist, journalist & teacher - Jovita Idár! She had a huge impact on early movements for the civil rights of Mexican-Americans in the United States and took action to ensure that Mexican-American students had access to educational opportunities. pic.twitter.com/uYsB5XNaMx

— Nobel Women (@NobelWomen) October 26, 2018

That's an incredible thought. Because my mother was not educated. But she strove hard to try to get all of her children educated. My oldest brother once remarked that if our mother had been educated she would have been unstoppable!

I understood what my brother meant. However, my observation of my mother is very different from my brother's. My mother may have not been formally educated, but she was very wise. Her advice and guidance for life to all of us was profound and enlightening. She wasn't educated but she sure wasn't ignorant!

I think to make sure this quote is properly applied we need to clearly define what it truly means to be educated. What do you think?


#5 Noble Women Who Left or Are Leaving Their Marks

Women who changed the world.

Here's all of the amazing women who have received the #NobelPrize and their remarkable achievements at the time of the award.

Learn more about their work: https://t.co/i7fVpFnufM pic.twitter.com/uQIg4ZjsW6

— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) August 25, 2018

No additional words needed for this tweet.

*
Content first appeared at Virily.com.

Artists I Fancy: Women Artists of the Renaissance

The wisest man in the world describes a virtuous woman as a savvy businesswoman, among her other many valuable attributes and characteristics. (Proverbs 31).  I say it has nothing to do with gender. If you have a gift or talent, it's a shame and a disgrace for others to try to prevent you from developing it and sharing with others. That's a sin!! 

Sharing a link to a slideshow of 10 women who made it in a man's world. (As if ... women haven't always made it.)

Women Artists of the Renaissance

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March is Women's History Month. 

Join the celebration.