Texas A&M Celebrates National Girls & Women in Sports Day
By Nick Whitley, Texas A&M Athletics Communications student assistant
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Athletes from across the nation celebrated the 34th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Wednesday, bringing attention to the importance of equal opportunity for all girls and women in sports. Texas A&M’s student-athletes seized the opportunity to go out into the community and visit with fourth and fifth-grade girls, discussing the importance of sports, confidence and motivation in their day-to-day lives.
NGWSD is one of the most meaningful occasions in athletics, as the event highlights the accomplishments of female athletes while recognizing the influence of sports participation for women and girls nationwide.
Wednesday’s festivities in College Station were a collaborative effort led by A&M’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the W[E]3 (Women Empower, Equip, Encourage) group. The importance of celebrating this event in our community cannot be understated, as it inspires Aggies everywhere to live out Texas A&M’s core values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service.
Equestrian senior Ann Elizabeth Tebow, the President of Texas A&M’s SAAC, reflected on the importance of celebrating this extraordinary day.
“Texas A&M started as an all-male military school in 1876. It has been less than 100 years since women have been allowed to enroll in the university, let alone have the honor to represent it as athletes. Because of that, Wednesday was such a huge deal and a special experience to have over 30 female student-athletes connecting with girls in our community and speaking to them about the huge impact female athletics has had on our lives.”
Track & Field senior Brittany Parker, the Aggies’ SAAC Vice President of Selfless Service, expressed the importance of the next generation seeing other women achieving at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics.
“Having a day to celebrate female athletes and leaders is so important to me because I would not be the person I am today without athletics. Playing sports and being part of a team has shaped my character, given me confidence, and introduced me to some of my best friends. It has given me opportunities I would have never had otherwise. Being able to celebrate this day by inspiring young girls to be active and grow into strong leaders was such a blessing.”
Women’s Tennis junior Riley McQuaid recalled her experience at a local elementary school.
“It was so amazing getting to talk, interact and play with the girls at International Leadership Elementary, especially on the day where we celebrate women and girls in sports. Our team had a blast and we look forward to seeing them out on the courts and fields in the future.”
Softball senior Kelbi Fortenberry commented on the personal importance that NGWSD has had on her life.
“National Girls & Women in Sports Day means a lot to me. It is a day to celebrate all of the amazing women who play sports; a day for all of the little girls to celebrate and dream about filling their shoes one day. Female athletes are so strong in their own ways, and today is a great day to recognize their accomplishments.”
From making friendships to learning valuable life skills, sports provide women everywhere with an opportunity to showcase their talent while developing habits that will assist them later in life. Texas A&M joins the Women’s Sports Foundation and countless NCAA institutions in celebrating the achievements of all girls and women in sports around the world.