Girls Who Compete on the Playing Field Succeed and Lead in Life

January 29, 2003

By Marion F. Swan and Ellen Christie, staff writers

	Climbing to the top in Omaha.
	Future American soccer stars.

In the 30 years since the enactment of Title IX, girls have proved that they can be just as interested, just as competitive, and just as successful in sports as their male counterparts.

"Prior to becoming a Girl Scout, Melissa was a shy, very quiet girl, who hardly spoke at all," reports Annette, the mother of the 12-year-old Girl Scout from Omaha, Nebraska. "In the five years since she joined the Girl Scouts, she is so much more confident. She now knows that she can be whatever she wants to be, and sports has played a big part." Active in basketball, soccer, and swimming, Melissa tried golf for the first time this past summer. "It's fun to experiment," she says. "There is no reason to be afraid to try something new."

On February 5, more then 50 million girls and women nationwide will celebrate the 17th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). From competing in golf to horseback riding to football, women are reaching pinnacles only dreamt of 30 years ago.

NGWSD was started in 1987 to honor the memory of Olympic silver medalist Flo Hyman for both her athletic achievements and her work to ensure equality for women's sports. Since that time, it has evolved into a day to acknowledge the past and to recognize current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation, and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports. The theme of this year's event is "Succeed in Sports, Lead in Life."

A grant project called GoGirlGo is helping Girl Scout volunteers and staff mentor economically disadvantaged girls identified as having health risks, or those underserved by school and community sports programs and wellness initiatives. Thanks to this aid from the Women's Sports Foundation, many more girls experience the benefits and fun of being involved in sports.

• Girls from three Indian reservations in South Dakota got a chance to learn basic karate moves, see what it feels like to make that basket from downtown, and enter a state of relaxation with yoga.



• In Omaha, Nebraska, the local Girl Scout council offered intramural sessions to area girls that included soccer, basketball, golf, swimming, and personal nutrition and fitness.



• Interactive bilingual tools were used to help the residents of a San Diego teen detention center come to grips with real-life challenges like drug abuse, stress management, and eating disorders.

Girl Scouts across the country participate in a variety of physical activities and learn the basics of health and nutrition. From learning to throw and catch at five years old to learning to surf and fence at 14 to learning to fight anorexia and obesity, fun and fitness is the name of the game. Through these programs Girl Scouts can earn badges such as Health and Fitness, On the Court, Sports Sampler, Walking for Fitness, Swimming, Hiker, Dance, and On the Playing Field.

To get involved in sports and fitness, contact the local Girl Scout council in your area.