👩‍👧‍👧 National GIRLS & WOMEN in SPORTS Day 2025 – Feb 5

Since 1972 it’s the day to be fearless and play like a GIRL when equal participation in sports was mandated in all public schools.

Organize community sporting events or other activities that inspire young girls and women to PLAY SPORTS and be active.🥇

🤾‍♀️ National GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS Day ORIGIN & HISTORY

National GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS Day celebrates the accomplishments of female athletes on the 1st Wednesday in February. On 3 February 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed an executive order declaring NGWSD. This is a national holiday established to recognize the contribution of women in sports and advocate for women’s physical achievements. Women are now encouraged to exercise. This wasn’t always the case.

Initially, NGWSD was initiated as a memorial to Flo Hyman, an Olympic volleyball player for her effort to promote women in sports equality. Hyman developed Marfan syndrome which is a disorder that affects connective tissue. She like so many other athletes had obstacles that create challenges in the path of what they can achieve. Yet she didn’t stop or let her illness hold her back! If you have physical challenges, your mind can be your strongest enemy or ally depending on how you want to attain your goals and desires. Unfortunately, Hyman died suddenly while competing in a tournament in Japan the year before.

Women now have achieved much greater respect for their sporting achievements. No longer are women discouraged from at least trying to be physically active. There’s always room to grow.

Title IX was a landmark gender equity law passed as part of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. This bill gave women athletes the right to equal opportunity in sports at educational institutions that receive federal funds. This included elementary schools to colleges and universities. The hope is to keep the spirit of Flo Hyman’s morale for equality at the same level she left it.

🏊‍♀️ HOW to Celebrate & Observe National GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS Day?

Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.

Here are some activities that you can do on National GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS Day!

💙 WALK together strong

Get a group of women & girls together and have a WALK-a-THON. If the weather isn’t great, then walking videos with your group is good. Better yet, do an exercise video by Jessica Smith, expert fitness instructor & personal trainer. Sticking with a realistic goal such as walking is something everyone can start with. If your mobility is limited, you could even do it in a chair by moving your arms and possibly feet.

💙 TRY something new

If you know of any females currently involved in sports, have them test out a new goal such as trying the National GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS Day (NGWSD) Virtual 5K & 50 Mile Challenge.

💙 Be THANKFUL

Talk to and encourage other females to be active. Thank organizations that help women achieve opportunities in sports. Give thanks to special female coaches or mentors you had in your life. Share how sports influenced your life.

💙 Feel the BURN

Daily Burn is a great online app/website that helps people reach their daily physical goals while keeping in mind health requirements. They have some fantastic programs that let you see some serious results. We 💜 JD Roberto and the expert advice by personal trainer, Nora Minno RD CDN, and the team of professional fitness coaches at 365!

💙 RAISE Social Awareness

Use social media posts with the hashtags #NationalGirlsWomenInSportsDay, #GirlsAndWomenInSportsDay, #NationalGirlsAndWomenInSportsDay, #WomenInSportsDay, #WomenAndGirlsInSportsDay, #NationalWomenAndGirlsInSportsDay, #NationalWomenInSportsDay, #PlayLikeAGirl, #NGWSD, #CulturalHolidays, #FebruaryHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ National GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS Day.

LEARN more about the benefits of YOUNG WOMEN IN SPORTS today

FIVE Fun Facts you never knew about National GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS Day

In 2022 tennis ace Naomi Osaka hauled in $57.3 million both on and off the court making her the highest-paid female athlete in the world.
Sports were considered hazardous to the fertility of a female in the 1800s.
The first instance of a female playing sports was in Homer’s “Odyssey” where he writes of Nausicaa playing a game of ball with her maids on the beach in Greek mythology sometime in the 8th century BC.
Plato writes support for women in gymnastics in both his texts entitled “Republic” and “Laws”.
Females were never allowed to participate much less witness or be spectators in the ancient Olympic games. It wasn’t until the modern Olympic Games in 1900 that women were allowed to take part.

Famous PEOPLE also born around the 1st Wednesday in February

Ina Garten

American author, cook, and host of the wildly popular “Foot Tessa” cooking show on Food Network. Born 1948.

INA GARTEN Quote

You can be miserable before you have a cookie and you can be miserable after you eat a cookie but you can’t be miserable while you are eating a cookie.
Brent Spiner

American actor, comedian, musician, and singer best known for playing Data, the android from the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Born 1949.
Shakira

Colombian singer and songwriter best known as the “Queen of Latin Music” making her the best-selling female Latin artist of all time. Born 1977.

SHAKIRA Quote

There’s no better makeup than self-confidence.

Future DATES for National GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS Day

Year	Date	Day of the Week
2023	February 1	Wednesday
2024	February 7	Wednesday
2025	February 5	Wednesday
2026	February 4	Wednesday
2027	February 3	Wednesday

🏊‍♀️ Female Sports FAQ

How do I get involved with SPORTS?

If younger, see if your school, college, or university has tryouts you can attend. Or visit your local sport & recreation center within the county you reside.

What’s the most POPULAR exercise for women?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics found the top forms of physical exercise are walking followed by weight training, running, and finally using cardiovascular equipment.

What are the BEST exercises for women?

Here are a few exercises to do at home without an instructor.
• Jumping Jacks: both high-impact or low-impact
• Push-ups: either advanced on your toes or at a wall
• Squats: high intensity, weighted, or jumping. Low intensity at a wall helps with stability.
• Planks: on toes or knees, also side planks
• Finally: bridges, second position plié squats, deadlifts, or single-leg deadlifts.

The Imp💜rtance of National GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS Day

The Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) was established as a non-profit in 1974. Their initiative is to promote physical activity and to set goals for females in being active in sports. They put money toward aspiring young champion athletes. The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX and the 36th anniversary of NGWSD. Many young girls participate in sports dreaming to attain higher levels like the Olympic games. As a former distance runner, lifeguard, and fitness instructor, setting goals in physical activity for women particularly when they were frowned upon is important. WSF is a wonderful organization that encourages women to achieve opportunities in sports but also in life. Try not to be held back from attaining your full potential. We want women to strive to the point they receive what they’re going after.

Dick’s Sporting Goods and the Women’s Sports Foundation on National GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS Day is hosting a Virtual 5K & 50 Mile Challenge to mark this milestone.