Kee On Sports Magazine Volume 1: “The Genesis”

Women’s Sports Increase for the Better

Author: Alexis Byrne

Women’s sports have tremendously increased over the past couple of decades, which is no surprise. An increase in women’s rights and an expansion in women holding big positions/titles due to this, have been a huge contributor in the women’s sports gaining more attention worldwide. Some of the big names we see and hear on a daily basis, in regards to well-known women sports players, are the big ones such as Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

During the years of the 1920’s, women’s freedom in playing sports began to grow. Actually in the year of 1972, the law of Title IX legislation was passed which stated that no one should or would be allowed to be denied any types of benefits or be able to receive any type of discrimination based on their sex/gender.

This Title IX legislations was an added part to the already existing Civil Rights act.  In addition, this was the big turning point in the world of sports for women. After this huge turning point, women started feeling more comfortable in playing sports that they loved and pursued their passion through playing these sports.

In relation, I think women gaining more attention in the sports world is a great turning point for sports and helps women across all ages and ethnicities to feel empowered in their love for the sport they choose to play.

I also believe it has grown more connections and relationships between women since they are now able to watch sports that involve the same gender as themselves. This creates an additional topic for women sport’s lovers to talk about, which grows the bond/relationship between the people who share the same common interest of sports.

I also believe the increase in women playing sports has led to an increase in the WNBA and the NBA collaborating and finding a mixture of community. Before the WNBA, along with other female sport groups, there were only men sports groups, which forced the men sports players to only interact with other men sports players.

Now that there are women’s sports groups, there are opportunities for these men sports players to interact with the women’s sports players. These interactions can increase the opportunities for these teams to work together through fundraiser events, along with charities.

Altogether, the increase in women’s sports and the attention it has been receiving is a result of the women’s rights along with the Title IX legislation. The passing of this Title has helped increase connection among other women and women players, as well as an increase of community between the men’s sports. These connections have helped increase other good causes such as fundraising and charity growth. It is safe to say that the growth of women’s sports was and is for the best!

Brief History of Women in Sports  by Alexis Potoposky

Women have not always been accepted in sports. Before Title IX, women were viewed as mothers and caretakers of the house and there was no room for them in sports. There was even worry that physical activity, like riding a bike, would harm a women’s reproductive system.

Title IX granted women the right to participate in sporting events. Even after women started participating in sports they often weren’t awarded for their accomplishments until after their death which is a reoccurring theme in society.

An example would be Olympian Golfer, Margaret Abbott. In the 1900 Paris Olympics women were permitted to participate in the games for the first time in history, but there was a catch. Women were only permitted to play in five events which included, croquet, sailing, tennis, equestrian and golf.

Abbott competed in golf which was a nine-hole course compared to the men’s 36-hole course. Abbott received a porcelain bowl for winning first place but wasn’t known as an Olympian champion until after she died in 1955.

There has been a lot of improvements since the 1900 Summer Olympics where only 22 women participated. In today’s day in age, women are given more opportunities on and off the field to be involved in the world of sports. Although there are more women in leadership positions in sports, there’s still room for improvement.

The sports industry has been known as a male-dominated field for ages. Women are breaking through the stigma and showing that they are just as capable. A prime example would be tennis player, Billie Jean King, beating Bobby Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes” match in 1973.

This match was set up by Bobby Riggs to prove that a woman can’t compare to a man’s athletic ability. Billie Jean King proceeded to beat Bobby Riggs in all the sets. Billie Jean King is one of the many women in sports that inspired other women to be bold and be brave.

More on this story next month…..