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Period: to
From 1900 to Present
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First women to compete in modern olympics
The games took place in Paris, France on May 14th and ended on October 28th. Charlotte cooper became the first female champion. There were no opening or closing ceremonies presented. One thousand competitors took part in 19 different sports. -
Annette Kellerman became first women to attempt to swim English Channel
Annette Kellerman first attempted when she was 18 years old. She tried three times but was never able to complete it. Kellerman was arrested for being "indecent" when she wore a one piece bathing suit in 1907. -
AAU holds first national womens basketball tournament
The first tournament had 6 teams that participated in it. They played half court games. The teams had 6 players on each team. In 1970 the teams went to 5 player full court games. -
Women banned from professional baseball
The commisioner who banned women was Kenesaw Mountain Landis. The ban lasted until 1992. This happened after a 17 year old girl pitcher that Virne "Jackie" Mitchell struck out Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth in an exhibition game. Mountain said, " Baseball was too strenuous for women". -
Patty Berg voted most outstanding woman athlete of the year
Patty would go on to win 15 major titles as a professional. Her 15 titles are still a womens record today. Before turning pro she won 29 amateur titles. She died at age 88 of Alzheimers. -
Althea Gibson becomes first african american to compete at wimbledon
Alice Mable wrote a piece in a tennis magazine blasting her sport for denying black women. This lead to the invite of Althea to the Wimbledon tournament. The following year she was a Top 10 player in the world. This opened the doors for many other black tennis players. -
First LPGA tournament is held
The LPGA was founded by 13 golfers in 1950. It is currently the oldest womens sports organization. In 2011 the prize money given out at the LPGA tournaments was 41.4 million dollars. Tournaments run from February to December every year. -
Kathrine Switzer became first women to run in the Boston Marathon
She joined the all male Boston Marathon and finished after being attacked by the race director. She would go on to run 37 more marathons. She also won the New York City marathon in 1974. She led the drive to allow women to run in the marathon in the olympics. -
Title IX was introduced as a law
The law states that, "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". This law opened the doors for women in sports more than anything. It also helped create equal opportunity in education. -
International Women's Sports Hall of Fame is founded
The IWSHF recognizes female athletes and coaches who have made history in sports. There are three categories coaches, Pioneers, and athletes. Women from around the world are selected based on their achievements in sports. It was founded by tennis great Billie Jean King. -
U.S. Women's soccer team wins the first ever women's world championship
This is considered the most important championship for soccer. It is now called FIFA. The U.S. has won twice since it was founded. They play ever four years like the olympics. -
Title IX report
On the 35th annual survey of status of women in intercollegiate sports finds record numbers. There were record numbers in things like athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators in colleges. These reports are very good for women in sports.
