February 7, 2024 – The 38th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is an annual day of observance held during the first week of February to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes.

Since its establishment in 1987, the United States Congress has annually acknowledged women’s contributions to sports and society during a day in the first week of February.

The 38th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day is observed each year, showcasing community-based events, honouring notable women athletes, presenting awards, and hosting various activities.

• 36th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day
• 37th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day

Inspiring Journeys: Governor Maura Healey’s Reflection on Athletics and Empowering Young Women

Celebrating the 38th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day, we catch up with the Harvard Athletics Department.

In the department’s captivating video interview (National Girls & Women in Sports Day 2023 | Harvard Athletics) conducted in 2023, Governor Maura Healey and The John D. Nichols ’53 Family Director of Athletics, Erin McDermott, share insights into the transformative power of athletics in shaping character, instilling resilience, and fostering empowerment for young girls and women.

The conversation delves into Governor Healey’s journey, her passion for sports, and the invaluable lessons she learned on the playing field.

Governor Maura Healey’s Athletic Journey:
Governor Healey reminisces about her upbringing in a small town in New Hampshire, being the eldest of five, and her love for athletics. Having excelled academically, she played three sports in high school, with basketball being her true passion. The pivotal moment came when she was recruited by Harvard University, a decision driven by the belief that as a student-athlete, there was no better place to experience the synergy of academics and sports.

“I thought as a student-athlete, there was no place to have a better experience and that’s what led me to Harvard.”

Athletics as a Source of Leadership Skills:
The interview explores Governor Healey’s belief in the profound impact of athletics on developing essential life skills. 

• @harvardwbb – Back-to-back home games? Sounds good to us, see you Saturday! 

“And I would just say to young girls in particular, like, be brave. Like don’t be afraid. It is a hard world out there. And they’re going to be a lot of things that will get in your way or people who may try to get in your way, but just keep moving ahead and believe in yourself.”

Governor Healey advocates for collective strength, emphasizing the power of supporting and empowering one another as a crucial lesson learned through athletics.

“Believe in yourself, and believe in one another. That’s another thing, and probably I learned that through athletics. Really important for young girls and young women to support and empower one another.”

Erin McDermott’s Closing Remarks:
Erin McDermott expresses gratitude to Governor Healey for her time and insights, highlighting the importance of the discussion in inspiring and empowering future generations of young women in sports.

“I am just so grateful to athletics. I’m grateful to Harvard Athletics for what it gave me and what it continues to give.”

“Aligning with the 38th Annual National Girls & Women in
Sports Day, we are unveiling new designs added to
The President’s Collection,” said Drina Baron-Zinyk, President of Baron® Championship Rings.

EmpowerHer Fridays: Baron®‘s Inspire To Play Initiative Celebrates Women and Girls in Sports
Wearing “Inspire To Play” shirts designed by our President on Fridays in February sends a strong and unified message that Baron® acknowledges the influence of sports participation for women and girls.

A message from Baron® President Drina Baron-Zinyk:

My goal, as the first female President of a Championship Ring company, is to provide female athletes with a variety of options to celebrate their achievements.

Every Championship has its unique story, and the President’s Collection is designed for female athletes who want something different from the traditional larger Championship Ring designs.

Smoky Mountain Rain Women’s Softball Team | CU01A-RCA | San Diego, CA

The Stingrays Allstars Royal Girl’s Cheerleading | RU02R | Marietta, GA

Truett McConnell University | Truett McConnell University Women’s Soccer | CJ02A | Cleveland, GA

Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023

In a remarkable display of skill and precision, the Ball State University women’s gymnastics team made history at the Farm Bureau Expo Center in Lebanon, Tennessee, during the Tennessee Collegiate Classic.

The collegiate gymnastics team not only secured a program record team score of 198.025 but also garnered three perfect 10s in an unforgettable meet.

Head coach Joanna Saleem expressed her excitement, saying, “It was a heck of a night. It was a lot of fun to watch them go out and perform the way we have been practicing.”

The Cardinals delivered outstanding performances across the board, with an impressive 22 scores of 9.800 or higher, including 12 at 9.900 or higher.

This exceptional display propelled them to the top team score nationwide for the current season, setting a Mid-American Conference team score record in the seven-team era. The evening commenced with a stellar beam performance, resulting in a score of 49.250, the fourth-highest beam score in program history.

Emily Clarke made history in September 2023 by becoming the first female head referee in U SPORTS football, officiating a game between the Alberta Golden Bears and the University of Calgary Dinos.

“It’s surreal sometimes to think I’m the first to do several things within Canadian football with officiating,” said Clarke.

“It was kind of neat to be able to look back and think, okay, I am the first woman to go in and wear the white hat in one of these games and I think it’s even cooler knowing I won’t be the last.”

This achievement followed her groundbreaking role as the first female official in a CFL playoff game in 2022. The opportunity to become a head referee in U SPORTS arose through a partnership between the CFL and U SPORTS, aiming to groom referees through grassroots training.

Clarke, with 20 years of officiating experience, emphasizes the importance of this collaboration in providing a stepping stone for aspiring referees. Her goal is to pave the way for more women in officiating roles and foster a supportive community within the sport.

Clarke’s remarkable journey also includes officiating the red and white game in preparation for the IFAF Women’s World Championship, where she bonded with other female officials, fostering a tight-knit community.

“That was honestly one of the coolest things I think I’ve done so far because even though a few of us knew each other, it really brought us together,” said Clarke.

She encourages women interested in officiating or coaching to reach out to local associations, emphasizing that people are willing to offer support and opportunities.

San Francisco Giants coach Alyssa Nakken, the first female full-time coach in MLB, has made history by interviewing for the team’s managerial position.

Nakken, who joined the Giants in 2014 and became a coach in 2020, is the first woman to formally discuss leading a team’s on-field operations.

Nakken’s groundbreaking interview reflects a growing trend of women breaking barriers in professional baseball, with Kim Ng serving as the first female general manager in major North American men’s professional sports.

• @UAlbanyWBB – We are so THANKFUL for everyone who inspired the strong women on and coaching our team! #UAUKNOW // #NGWSD // #AEHoops
• @goheels – One of our favorite events of the year! 😄 Special thanks to everyone who came out for our National Girls & Women in Sports Day Celebration
• @ukfootball – Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day #NGWSD and sharing a message of appreciation for the many amazing women that play such a vital role in our program on our staff!
• @uncgwbb – In honor of our #ngwsd game today, we had to give a shoutout to our favorite female athletes 🙋‍♀️🗣️

• @fifawomensworldcup – On this day 32 years ago, the first-ever #FIFAWWC began! 🙌
• @uninterrupted – hanged the game forever ❤️

• @stanfordwbb – Tara loves the game of basketball and it loves her back 🫶🏀 #GoStanford
• @stanfordwbb – A lot has changed since 1985. A lot hasn’t.
• @stanfordwbb – It’s always been about family 🏠 #GoStanford
• @stanfordwbb – A long time in the making. Can’t wait for @wnbagoldenstate to take the court. 

• @IowaWBB – 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻. 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲. @CaitlinClark22 x #Hawkeyes

“There are always new, grander challenges to confront, and a true winner will embrace each one.” – Mia Hamm, Soccer

“You have to remember that the hard days are what make you stronger. The bad days make you realize what a good day is. If you never had any bad days, you would never have that sense of accomplishment!” – Aly Raisman, Gymnastics

“The ultimate goal should be doing your best and enjoying it.”

” Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back… play for her.” – Mia Hamm, Soccer 

“Overpower. Overtake. Overcome.” – Serena Williams, Tennis

“Greatness finds us by obstacles in front of us. I don’t look at hurdles as obstacles blocking my path but opportunities to overcome.”- Lolo Jones, Bobsledder

“I don’t run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run towards it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your foot.” – Nadia Comăneci, Gymnastics

• @UA_Athletics – Join us this week in celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Day at Alabama! 🐘🎉 Scholarships make it possible for our student-athletes to experience personal growth, win championships, & earn a degree from UA.
• @UACTF – Because of an athletics scholarship, Alabama native @katgrill08 is living out her dream of competing for @AlabamaSB & pursuing a degree at @UnivofAlabama . Her experience is equipping her to succeed in medical school and beyond.
• @UAlbanyWBB – Celebrating women of all ages today 💕💪🚺 #UAUKNOW // #NGWSD // #AEHoops

Tag Baron® on socials

Take a look at the most recognized hashtags associated with National Girls & Women in Sports Day. Remember to share your Championship Ring from Baron® with us and show us how you celebrated NGAWISD on Socials and use hashtags:

• #GirlsAndWomenInSportsDay
• #NGAWISD
• #baronchamps
• #baronrings
• #baronchampionshiprings
• #baron2024
• #baron
• #NGWSD
• #NationalGirlsAndWomenInSportsDay
• #NationalWomenInSportsDay
• #WomenInSportsDay
• #NationalWomenAndGirlsInSportsDay

38TH ANNUAL NATIONAL GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY

Baron® Championship Rings encourages your active support for girls’ and women’s athletics in your local community.

For more details on how you can contribute, visit the Women Sports Foundation (WSF), a leading authority on women’s and girls’ sports participation. Committed to creating leaders by ensuring equal access to sports for all girls, WSF advocates the message #keepPlaying.

Baron® Championship Rings is a focused brand, and our relentless commitment to design, craftsmanship and superior story-driven products are what drive us to deliver only the best to our clients.

If you are a female athlete who has been honored with a Championship Ring from Baron®, we invite you to share your reviews on Google Review, Facebook, Twitter as DM, or through our Contact Us page.

Additionally, don’t forget to check out Baron®‘s blog for the 38th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day. Share your story of how sports may have positively impacted your life!