Feb. 3 is National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). This year is the 35th edition of the event, which is organized by the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF).
It's an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of female athletes, the positive influence of participating in athletics and the continuing struggle for equality for women in sports.
Wednesday's festivities include the first-ever Girls Fest, which is described as "an online event geared towards elementary, middle and high school girls, and their families." The WSF will stream the event live on its YouTube channel at 4 p.m. ET.
Girls Fest will be hosted by World Rugby Hall of Famer and WSF president Phaidra Knight, 9-year-old journalist Pepper Persley and award-winning basketball analyst LaChina Robinson.
There will also be additional, mostly virtual, events held throughout the country. More information can be found here.
The first NGWSD was held in Washington, D.C., in 1987. That day also honored Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her "athletic achievements and dedication to promoting equality for womenâs sports." Hyman died of Marfanâs Syndrome in 1986.
You can visit the Women's Sports Foundation to learn more about the organization and its programs.
Below, hear from current NCAA student-athletes from around the nation on what they're thankful for on NGWSD in 2021.
