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First Women in Olympics
Nineteen women were the first to compete in the modern Olympics Games in Paris, France. The women competed in tennis, golf and croquet. During this Olympics, Margaret Abbott was the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal by winning the nine-hole golf tournament. She won by shooting a score of 47. -
Womens International Bowling Congress
A group of 40 women from 11 cities formed the Women's International Bowling Congress, which will become the oldest and largest women's sports organization in the world. This organization was formed in St. Louis Missouri as a counterpart to the American Bowling Congress (ABC). The purpose of the organization was to provide and adopt a uniformed code of rule and regulations, provide and enforce uniform qualifications for participants and tournaments, and to promote the sport of bowling. -
Lucy Diggs Slowe
Lucy Diggs Slowe wins the singles title at the first American Tennis Association (ATA) national tournament, becoming the first female African-American national champion in any sport. Lucy Slowe was born in Berryville, Virginia, and graduated from Howard University in 1908. While at Howard University, she excelled at tennis and served as the president of the women’s tennis team. -
Female Swimmers
Female swimmers become the first American women to achieve full Olympic status. Ethelda Bleibtrey (1902-78), held the world record in the 100-yard backstroke when women's swimming was added to the Olympic program. The only three events were the 100-meter and 300-meter freestyles and the 4 by 100-meter freestyle relay, so she entered all three and won three gold medals. -
The National Women's Athletic Association
The National Women's Athletic Association is organized.The National Women’s Athletic Association is a non-profit organization promoting the aspirations of all women through participation in athletics. The association offers college scholarships for women who participate in sports but may not have the opportunity to receive an athletic scholarship. -
Babe Didrikson
Babe Didrikson scores enough points at the AAU national meet to win the team championship single-handedly. She won 6 gold medals and broke 4 world's records, totalling 30 points. The entire second place team won just 22. She is named the Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year for track and field. -
Women's Professional Golf Association
The Women's Professional Golf Association is formed. Patty Berg wins $1,500 in the first US Women's Golf Open. The Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour and Teaching & Club Professionals comprise the backbone of what has become the premier women's professional sports organization in the world today. The LPGA maintains a strong focus on charity through its tournaments and its junior and women's programs. -
Babe Didrikson-Woman Athlete of the Half Century
Babe Didrikson Zaharis is named “Women Athlete of the Half Century” by an AP poll for her outstanding performances in golf, basketball, baseball, javelin, tennis, diving, bowling, 80 meter hurdles, shot-put, high jump & discus. She won $14,800 during the LPGA's first season, a record one-year amount. -
The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women
The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women is formed to plan, govern, and promote the growing number of college tournament for women athletes. The association was one of the biggest advancements for women's athletics on the collegiate level. -
Title IX
Congress passes Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any education program or activities receiving Federal financial assistance.” When President Nixon signs the act on July 23 about 31,000 women are involved in college sports; spending on athletic scholarships for women is less than $100,000. -
Little League Baseball admits Girls
Little League Baseball admits girls (after losing a lawsuit). Bunny Taylor is the first girl to pitch a no-hitter. Up until this time girls were not allowed to participate in organized recreational sports. If girls wanted to play in a sport such as softball, they could only participate in sandlot games or perhaps play in a church league. -
Joan Benoit
Joan Benoit of the US wins the first women's Olympic marathon in 2:24:52, She still holds the fastest times for an American woman at the Chicago Marathon and the Olympic Marathon. Her time at the Boston Marathon was the fastest time by an American woman at that race for 28 years. She received the 1985 James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States. -
Women's soccer and Womens softball
Women's soccer and women's softball become medal sports at the Olympic Games for the first time; both events are won by US teams. Interest in soccer within the United States has grown rapidly starting in the 1990s. In the 1996 Olympics, the U.S. went 8-1 to capture the first ever gold medal at the Olympics. -
Girls Participation in High School Athletics
One in three girls participates in high school athletic sports. The statistics show that there has been an increase in the number of girls participating in high school athletics. There are many health and behavior benefits of increased physical activity and sport participation. -
