Women Sports Trailblazers: From Invisible to Unstoppable
- WSUSA
- Mar 29
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
I’m living in a women’s sports fan’s dream. How many of you spent the first Saturday in March glued to NCAAW basketball? And are you just as excited to do it again on Sunday?
When I was growing up, there was hardly any sports coverage on TV—especially women’s sports. Heck, our TV was black and white, and if we were lucky enough to catch a game, it was on a UHF channel buried under a snowy signal. Fast-forward to 2025: multiple games nationwide, high-definition broadcasts, expert commentary, and close-up replays.
As I watched, I reflected on the women who inspired me… and realized I didn’t have any. Women’s sports weren’t visible when I was a kid. It wasn’t until the ’60s that I even started recognizing women competing, and most were in individual sports. Maybe there just weren’t enough women playing in any one place to form teams. So, my idols were pioneers like Billie Jean King, even though I barely knew the rules of tennis. But my passion for women’s sports kept growing.
I eventually found my place in fastpitch softball, playing in the New England Yankee League—a semi-pro league (whatever that meant back then!). At just 12 years old, I played in a women’s travel league. One of my first role models was my cousin, who was six years older than me—my guru. As I played, I learned about other trailblazers: Joann Joyce, Donna Lopiano, Judy Martino, and Rhode Island’s Wilma Briggs.
My fastpitch career lasted over 12 years, but then the sport disappeared. No one played anymore. I could still find fastpitch only in the collegiate ranks under the AIAW (Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, 1971–1983)—the Forgotten Years. We played.
We competed. We led. We succeeded. But we were never fully acknowledged.
So, as you watch these incredible athletes today or take the field yourself, remember the history. Remember the trailblazers who fought for the right to play. If not for them, none of this would exist. Whether you’re a player or a fan, find your trailblazers and honor them.
This is how I watch NCAAW basketball—with gratitude for those who paved the way during The Forgotten Years.
If this resonates with you, share the names of your trailblazers with me. And watch Dawn Staley—she never forgets the past. Her shirt yesterday said it all: "Everyone Watches Women's Sports."
Author, Denise George
Women Sports USA
Athlete, Coach, Teacher & TrailBlazer
Warwick, RI
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