The day is a time to recognize and reflect on female athletes and celebrate the trailblazers -- including some of the biggest names in sports.
February 4 is National Girls and Women in Sports Day. At the Super Bowl Experience in San Francisco this year, it was a chance for some to celebrate the achievements of female athletes, coaches, and leaders while promoting equality and access in sports.
"We as women have been fighting for a lifetime to be recognized," said Asani Swann, a sports and entertainment executive.
The day is a time to recognize and reflect on female athletes and celebrate the trailblazers -- including some of the biggest names in sports.
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"Aya Wilson, Venus Williams, Lindsay Vaughn," said Frederec Geurts who coaches women's basketball coach in the Netherlands.
"Who's your favorite female athlete?" ABC7 Eyewitness News reporter Suzanne Phan asked.
"Simone Biles. Because she's such an inspiration. She's the goat," said Christine Liu, a San Francisco resident. "She has won so many awards and because it think she's a great representation for all women."
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"I have to go with Simone Biles," said Katie Forbidussi, a Charlotte resident. "She's such a beast at what she does. And I also love how much she stands up for herself, her mental health. I think that is so important. I think she's a trail blazer. I admire her."
"Probably Caitlin Clark. She's just really inspirational. She's young. She's energetic. She's positive," said one woman attending the Super Bowl Experience on Wednesday.
"Mine is Serena Williams. Mine is Angel Reese. I'm a softball player. I'm going to stick with softball and say the Romero sisters," said several female college students and student athletes from Nichols College in Dudley Massachusetts.
"It's really encouraging seeing these women get up on these big stage and really just make their mark across sports," said one of the students.
On this Wednesday during Super Bowl Week, the "Sports Power Brunch" at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco provided a chance to honor prominent women working behind the scenes in the sports industry.
"We are doing the toast today. So, it's very exciting to honor all these women in sports," said Swann, who was raised in the Bay Area.
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Since 2009, Swann has been the business partner of Hall of Fame NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony.
"Women have been making inroads and impacts in sports for lifetimes. We are making it a new normal to celebrate the body and the impact that women are making all over the world in the industry of sports," said Swann.
While on Radio Row at the Moscone Center, sports agent and CEO of BG Sports Enterprises Brittany Gilman talked about her life in sports.
"I've been an athlete all my life. I was put on skis when I was two. I was ski racing by the time I was five, playing soccer, doing every sport you could imagine. I started competing on the professional circuit on the half pipe when I was 17. So, I was a professional athlete long before I worked for professional athletes," said Gilman.
She talked about her new book and the pride she takes in inspiring others.
"It's an honor and it's a big responsibility," said Gilman. "It's meant to be a playbook and guide for anyone who is trying to understand how this business works."
Many female athletes and women interested in careers in sports recognize the importance of this Feb. 4 as a day to celebrate girls and women in sports. It spotlights why equal opportunity in sport still matters and it's a reminder of the power of sport to build confidence, leadership, and lifelong opportunity.
Category: General Sports
