Olympic volleyball great Flo Hyman was a leader among athletes who worked for equality for women's sports. When she died suddenly while playing in Japan on January 24, 1986, the world lost a tremendous athlete who was committed to excellence on and off the court. At the same time, many women's sports leaders were discussing the idea of establishing a national day to celebrate the accomplishments of women athletes. Hyman's spirit and the achievements of sportswomen are commemorated each year on National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
The Women's Sports Foundation organized the first official National Women in Sports Day celebration in Washington, D.C., to remember and honor Flo Hyman in 1987. Representative Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Senator Robert Packwood (R-OR) introduced the commemorative bills declaring February 4, 1987, as the first National Women in Sport Day (“Girls” was added to the title of the day in 1988). The date chosen was the first open day on the legislative calendar after the anniversary of Hyman's death. The Day has been celebrated each year on either the first Wednesday or Thursday of February.
Since the first year, four major organizations have joined together to coordinate the Day nationally. They are Girls Incorporated, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports (NAGWS), the Women's Sports Foundation® and the YWCA of the USA. In 1994, these organizations were joined by the Girl Scouts of the USA. In 2003, American Association of University Women and the National Women's Law Center also joined the coalition. The organizations annually provide educational materials and promote the Day through their web site NGWSDCentral.com.
Each year a ceremony is held on Capitol Hill marking the Day. Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) attends each year, as do many other members of Congress. The event provides an opportunity to raise major issues for women in sport with our country's leaders. Similar efforts take place at state and local levels.
During the national celebration, the winner of the Women's Sports Foundation Flo Hyman Memorial Award, given to an athlete who captures Flo Hyman's “dignity, spirit and commitment to excellence” is announced. The annual award has generally been presented by the President or First Lady at the White House each year. The first winner was tennis star Martina Navratilova. Other winners have been track stars Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1988) and Evelyn Ashford (1989); tennis legend Chris Evert (1990); world disabled ski champion Diana Golden (1991); golf champion Nancy Lopez (1992); basketball star Lynette Woodard (1993); Hall of Fame golfer Patty Sheehan (1994); Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Mary Lou Retton (1995); Olympic swimming champion Donna de Varona (1996); tennis legend Billie Jean King (1997); seven-time Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Nadia Comaneci (1998); Olympic speed skating gold medalist Bonnie Blair (1999); champion tennis player Monica Seles (2000); WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie (2001); softball champion Dot Richardson (2002); Olympic gold medalist runner Nawal El Moutawakel (2003); Olympic and world figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi (2004). Yamaguchi's award was presented at the Women's Sports Foundation Annual Salute to Women in Sports October 18, 2004.
In 2005 the first Patsy Mink Award was presented to honor the late Congresswoman who championed Title IX. The first winners were Senator Olympia Snow (R-ME) and Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY).
The Day is a nationwide event with celebrations in all 50 states and internationally. Community-based events honor the achievements of girls and women in sports, provide opportunities for girls to learn new sports, and bring attention to the inequities that still exist. This year's National Girls and Women in Sports Day is scheduled for February 1, 2006.