The story of girls' sports in the hopewell valley
- Sep 8
- 1 min read
It seems surprising now but, before 1972, girls had no opportunities to play organized, competitive team sports. Girls interested in athletics were limited to backyard whiffle ball or ballet! That year, Title IX federal legislation was passed and trailblazing girls, along with supportive adults, led the way to increased sports team opportunities for local female athletes.
Title IX federal legislation proclaimed: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Officially, that meant that educational facilities who received federal funding could no longer discriminate on the basis of a person’s sex.
In real life terms, it meant that girls and women had to be given the same opportunities in school situations as boys and men, with the biggest impact seen in female sports programs.
Our Hopewell Valley was fortunate to have a community that quickly accepted the new reality and fostered this growth.
Stop by the Mercer County Libary - Hopewell Branch to view the Then and Now Exhibit, curated by Suzanne Dutko Stout and Caroline Flannery, to learn about some of these trailblazing athletes and the road they traveled over the past six decades, resulting in today's increased opportunities for all!
Do you have a story to share? Send your stories and photos about HV girls sports to info@hopewellvalleyhistory.org
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