This article will highlight women who have made history in sports. This article highlights women who have made history in sports, from Michele Roberts leading the NFL's coaching staff to Simone Manuel winning seven world championship medals. This article also explores the history of Title IX. It is the 1972 Education Act that allowed women athletes to enter the sport.
Title IX of the Education Act of 1972 opened opportunities for women athletes
Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments prohibited discrimination based on sex in federally funded educational institutions. This was done to eliminate biases against female students. While few schools quickly followed the guidelines, the act represented an important step toward equal participation for women.
Over half of college students are now women. However, women's participation is just now catching up to men in intercollegiate sport. However, women did not participate in college sports as much as men until 2005-2006. Since then, the number of women participating in sports has risen dramatically. Today, over 3.4 million girls in high school participate in athletics and more than 215,000 women compete at the collegiate level. Title IX gives women the opportunity to participate in more sports.
Simone Manuel became first woman to win seven gold medals at one world championship
Simone Manuel was the first Black woman to be crowned the champion of the U.S. women’s pool team. Manuel has been an important force in the sport and helped Team USA to win a bronze in the 400m freestyle relay. She is currently an ambassador for the USA Swimming Foundation and champions increased diversity in the sport.
Manuel's success at the World Championships is particularly impressive because she broke several records. She won the 50 meter freestyle and the 100 meter freestyle events, earning seven medals overall and participating in two world-record-breaking relays. Manuel discovered she had an overtraining syndrome. The condition causes a rapid heartbeat and muscle soreness. Manuel sought advice from her doctor, and she stopped swimming for three consecutive weeks.
Michele Roberts became first woman to lead major professional sports organizations
Michele Roberts is the first woman to head a major professional sports union. At the time she applied, she was considered a long shot. She had never worked in labor relations or been involved in sports. She was able to use her legal experience to her advantage.
Roberts was first elected to her post by the NBPA's executive board in 2014. Roberts worked in Washington, D.C. as a trial attorney. She specialized in complex civil litigation, white collared criminal cases, and administrative proceedings. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and she lectures regularly on litigation and trial topics throughout the country.
Jen Welter is the first woman to become a coach for an NFL team
Jen Welter, a former running back for Texas Revolution, is the Arizona Cardinals' special teams coach. She is also a first woman to head a professional men's football team. Welter's goal is to promote football among women. After her playing career, Welter helped create camps for girls and women such as the GRRRidiron Football Camp. She has also launched a program for young people in underserved communities.
Welter, while she was not looking to be the first woman coach in the NFL's history, was already well on her road. Arians is an American, and he has made clear that women are welcomed on NFL coaching staffs. Welter is a great coach who has been trusted and respected by her teammates. Welter is a great example of a coach that values authenticity and teamwork.