Women’s sports, in many forms, have come a long way since their inception. In the past, in most cultures, women weren’t allowed to play sports. Today, women compete in many sporting activities but still have to fight for equal opportunities and treatment.

    When the Olympic games first began in ancient Greece in 776 B.C., women weren’t permitted to compete. They were, however, allowed to participate in the Games of Hera. These games were the female equivalent of the Olympics.

    As different cultures emerged over the milenia, new opportunities and positions opened up to women. At the same time, in some cultures, women’s roles diminished depending on the time period.

    When looking at modern history, an important event for women equality came when Catherine Beecher published the first exercise manual for women. Until then, only men were featured in sports and physical activity-related magazines.

    This step brought women into the public light concerning the media and sports publications. It stood as a testament to the fact that not only men were good enough at what they did to be on a cover or in a magazine, but women are talented and good enough to be admired and looked at as well.

In 1902, Madge Syers participated in men’s figure skating world championships. She earned second place and went on to become the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in 1908 for figure skating. Figure skating was the only winter Olympic sport women were allowed to compete in until 1936 when skiing was added.

    In 1914, the American Athletic Union allowed women to register for national swimming competitions. While the 1916 Olympics were canceled due to World War I, in the 1920 Olympics women were allowed in the pool for the second time ever.

        In 1972, Title IX was passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972, stating, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

    Today, there is controversy over whether or not Title IX really protects women’s rights in sports or helps them gain the equality they deserve. Some see Title IX as detracting funding and support from men’s sports.

     In 1991, the United States Women’s Soccer team won the first ever women’s world soccer championship.   The U.S. Women’s Soccer team also won their third World Cup, it was the most watched game in soccer history.

Women had been underestimated in the past, but with hardwork and dedication, they have proven they can step up on the national scale.

     For the first time, the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament announced in 2007 that they will pay equal prize money to both men and women.

The boys and girls basketball team photos from the 1963 Remembrancer. Title IX was passed in 1972.