Women are on the rise in the Sports World.
Women have been fighting for equality in sports throughout history. They were once not even permitted to watch the Olympic Games. In today's sports world, men and women can play professionally with “equal” limitations, giving both genders the resources they need to thrive in athletics. Now more than ever, female athletes provide a stable platform that brings positivity towards women.
Art by Cleo Topp
Caitlin Clark, one of the most popular women’s basketball players, is bringing worldwide attention. She is projected to be the unanimous number-one overall pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, and NBA analysts project that she’ll break long-standing scoring records. She is also bringing media attention towards women’s sports like no other college female athlete ever before, showing a societal trend towards giving more positive attention to female athletes.
Other female warriors that have brought worldwide attention to themselves and their sport are Serena and Venus Williams. S. Williams, also known as the Queen of Tennis, forever embedded herself in the game’s history. Her legacy was not only defined by her game, as she dominated the sport for years, but also in the viewers that she attracted. At the US Open, a look at the number of black fans and people of color present underlines how her success has affected those who watch, participate and claim the sport as their own. As she enters retirement, S. William’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams and work towards achieving their goals.
Equal pay has always been an issue in women’s sports, but this concern was addressed in 2007 when Wimbledon first announced that the women’s prize pool would be equally matched with that of the men. After the policy change, V. Williams shocked the world at the 2007 US Open in a huge upset victory. She was awarded $1.4 million for her fourth Wimbledon victory, the same amount as the men’s champion, Roger Federer. Since then, other athletes and sports federations have taken notice and have made similar strides towards equal pay. Samo Girls’ Flag Football Team Captain, Isabella Sanchez (’24) shares her thoughts about the future of women’s sports.
“I think our school supports both girls and boys' sports to relatively the same degree, however there’s much more of an emotional investment and emphasis on male sports,” Sanchez said. “I hope that women’s sports continue to grow and that viewers learn to appreciate the differences rather than constantly comparing female and male sports.”