YWCA to Celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day

YWCA to Celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day

Rhode Island will play its part in National Girls & Women in Sports Day as the YWCA of Northern Rhode Island will hold a celebration on Wednesday, February 1 to honor the achievements of female athletes and encourage participation of girls and women in sports. This year is particular significant as 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the landmark Title IX legislation. “In It For the Long Run” is the national theme for this year’s day and serves to acknowledge the importance of sport participation for women and girls. 

Title IX turns 40

Title IX – a law prohibiting the exclusion of women or men in educational programs based on their sex – opened a window for female athletes. When the law was officially passed, women were no longer denied the ability to participate in school or university sports programs, even if their school did not sponsor female teams.

Celebrating local achievements

YWCA has long offered a variety of physical activity programs to empower women of all ages, from a gymnastics academy, gym classes, aerobics, belly dancing, volleyball leagues, walking clubs, and a women’s only workout room.  In 2011, YWCA transformed its gymnasium to feature murals of competitive female athletes in action.  This event will serve as its official unveiling.

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Appearing at the event will be local luminaries Stephanie Reilly, Head Coach Bryant University Track & Field program and 2011 world track and field championship participant, 2012 London summer Olympic games qualifier; Lynette Labinger, attorney for Title IX Case, Brown vs. Cohen; Beverly Wiley, Commissioner, Rhode Island Amateur Softball Association, as well as the Honorable Leo T. Fontaine, Mayor of Woonsocket. YWCA youth gymnasts will also appear as part of the event.

In It For the Long Run, February 1, 3pm, YWCA of Northern Rhode Island, 514 Blackstone St., Woonsocket.

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