If you're interested in women firsts in sports, you've come to the right place. This article highlights seven women who have won seven world championship medals, starting with Michele Roberts, who led the NFL's coaching staff. This article also discusses Title IX's history, which opened doors for women sportspeople in 1972.
Title IX of The Education Act of 1972 provided opportunities for women athletes
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in federally-funded education institutions. The purpose was to counter biases towards female students. Although few schools were able to follow the guidelines quickly, the act represented a major step toward equal participation for all women.
Over half of college students are now women. But women's participation has not caught up with men's in intercollegiate sports. Up until 2005-2006 women weren't able to match the participation of men in college sport. Since then, women's participation in sports has skyrocketed. 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 has allowed women athletes to take part in more sports than ever before.
Simone Manuel was the first woman to win seven medals in a single world championship
Simone Manuel, the first Black woman to win the world championship in swimming, put the U.S. women's team in the limelight. Manuel is a significant force in the sport. She helped Team USA win a bronze medal at the 400-meter freestyle relay. She is an ambassador to the USA Swimming Foundation where she champions greater diversity in the swimming sport.
Manuel's World Championships success is impressive, as she broke several world 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 revealed to Manuel that she had overtraining syndrome. This is a condition where the heart beat and muscles become too fast. Manuel consulted her doctor about this disease and she took three weeks off from swimming.
Michele Roberts is the first woman in a major professional sport union to be led by a woman
Michele Roberts is the first woman to head a major professional sports union. It was not an easy job when she applied. She didn't have any experience in labor relations nor had she ever been involved in sports. But, her experience in the legal sector gave her an edge.
Roberts was elected in 2014 by the NBPA executive committee. Before assuming her current position, Roberts had worked as a trial lawyer in Washington, D.C. and specialized in complex civil litigation, white collar 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 was the first woman to join an NFL coaching staff
Jen Welter is an ex-running back for the Texas Revolution. She is now special teams coach for Arizona Cardinals. She is also the first woman to coach in the men's professional football league. Welter has a goal to increase the number of women playing football. She helped start camps for women and girls after her playing career. She also started a program that helps young people from underserved areas.
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 a man and has made it clear that women can be on the NFL coaching staffs. Welter is an exceptional coach who has gained the trust and respect from her team. Welter is a great example of a coach that values authenticity and teamwork.