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Prior to the 1800's
Prior to the 1800's, women only really partook in sports recreationally such as swimming and horseback for pleasure. -
Early 1900's
In the early 1900's women began to form informal athletic clubs, such as: Tennis, Croquet, Bowling, and Archery. Sports clubs in colleges also began to appear, but they were less competitive and more of a social gathering. -
1920's
In the 1920's the Women's Division-National Amateur Athletic Federation (NAAF) was formed to organize intercollegiate competition among women. -
1950's-1960's
In the 1950's and 1960's there was a push for civil rights. The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 increased the status of women as well as created a wave of feminism and lead to more intercollegiate programs for women. -
1973
At the 1973 NCAA convention, the NCAA waived the regulation that prevented women from competing in men's events. This allowed women to compete in NCAA Championships. -
1974
Women were officially allowed to play Little League Baseball. The National Women's football league was also formed. -
1978
Women's professional basketball league is formed -
1984
Women's first olympic marathon was introduced -
1991
First women's soccer World Cup -
1997
The WNBA has it's first season -
2000's - Present
Since the 2000's Women have been competing in their own leagues, winning titles, setting records, becoming hall of famers, etc. -
1969-1972
In 1969, a schedule of national championships for women's sports was created. It included gymnastics and track and field. Later in 1970, swimming, badminton, and volleyball were added. In 1972 basketball was added. Also, in 1972 "Title IX" (a federal law that says no person in the US based on sex could be excluded from educational programs) was passed, thus allowing more women to compete in intercollegiate sports programs and US Congress fostered more financial aid to women's sports programs.