Women's History Month:

How it Started, How it's Going

HONORING WOMEN'S OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC LEGACIES TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION

 

Women's History Month, a time dedicated to reflecting on women’s often-overlooked contributions to history, offers the opportunity to co-create powerful storytelling. 

 

Throughout time, women have been sidelined, underestimated, and doubted. Since the turn of the 20th century, when women were first able to compete in the Olympics, it’s been an uphill climb to solidify each woman's place in the Olympic and Paralympic history books.

 

So today... we celebrate women athletes whose history is rooted in Los Angeles. Unique and crucial pieces of the puzzle. Their ability to pursue their wildest dreams, defy barriers, and break rules has altered the very fabric of our city... shaking it to its core, and rebuilding it for the future. 

 

All through the power of sport.

 

This Women's History Month, we honor the women raising the bar, fighting, marching, chasing their dreams, passing the torch, and carrying the flame. In the words of our newly elected MVP from the city of Los Angeles: "You may be the first to do many things, but make sure you are not the last." - Kamala Harris.

March 1 - March 7

 TRACK AND FIELD

Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Michelle Carter… What do all of these women have in common? Smashing glass ceilings, defying the odds, and writing history in Women's Track & Field.
March 8 - March 14

NICHE SPORTS

From Afsoon Johnston working tirelessly to prove that women can wrestle at the highest levels to Christella Garica who defies expectations on what a blind athlete can achieve in sports like Judo. Women have proved time and time again that they can excel in anything they do.
March 15 - March 21

TENNIS

Women first made their appearance in the Olympic Games in Paris in 1900. That year, 22 women competed in tennis, sailing, croquet, equestrian events, and golf. Women have continued to make history in tennis and create opportunities for the women that come after them.
March 22 - March 28

NEW OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC SPORTS

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will debut seven new sports: Skateboarding, Surfing, Baseball/Softball, Karate, Sport Climbing, Para badminton, & Para taekwondo. Women have already blazed trails in these sports and will continue to do so.