State Women Sports Trailblazer Stories: Pioneers of Rhode Island's Legacy

I’m living in a women’s sports fan’s dream. How many of you spent the first Saturday in March locked in NCAAW basketball? And are you just as excited to do it again on Sunday?

It’s incredible to think about how far we’ve come. When I was growing up, women’s sports were barely on TV—if they were broadcast at all. Our TV was black and white, and if we managed to catch a game, it was on a UHF channel buried in static. Fast forward to 2025: multiple games airing nationwide, high-definition broadcasts, expert commentary, and in-depth coverage. The visibility we once only dreamed of is now our reality.

Denise George, RI Player, Coach & Teacher

Watching these athletes compete, I am reminded of the pioneers who paved the way. As a kid, I didn’t have female sports heroes—I didn’t even know they existed. It wasn’t until the ’60s that I saw women competing, mostly in individual sports. Perhaps there weren’t enough women in one place to form teams yet. But the ones who played? They were fearless. Billie Jean King became one of my first idols—even though I didn’t know much about tennis, I knew she was changing the game.

Wilma Briggs, Rhode Island Softball Player & Trailblazer

My journey led me to fastpitch softball, where I played at a high level in the New England Yankee League—a semi-pro league, as it was known back then. At just 12 years old, I was playing in a women’s travel league, and one of my first role models was my cousin—my guru, my inspiration. Then, I began learning about other trailblazers, including Joann Joyce, Donna Lopiano, Judy Martino, and Rhode Island’s own Wilma Briggs.

I played fastpitch for over 12 years, but eventually, the sport fell out of the mainstream. The only place I could still find it was at the collegiate level through the AIAW (Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, 1971–1983). Those were The Forgotten Years. We played, competed, led, and succeeded. Although we didn’t always receive recognition, we laid the foundation for today’s opportunities.

That’s why watching women’s sports now fills me with so much pride. We are here. We are seen. And we are thriving.

So, as you watch these phenomenal athletes, as you step onto the field, the court, or wherever you compete—remember the history. Remember the trailblazers who made this possible. Honor them by playing, watching, and celebrating every victory, big or small.

This is how I watched NCAAW basketball—filled with gratitude and excitement for the future.

If this resonates with you, share the names of your trailblazers with me. And watch Dawn Staley—she never forgets the past. Yesterday, her shirt said it all: "Everyone Watches Women's Sports."

And today, more than ever, that’s the truth.

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