A historical perspective of the role of women in professional sports, USA: contributions of three women athletes
Haslett, J.G.
Liikunnan ja Kansanterveyden Julkaisuja 66: 65-77
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0357-2498 Document Number: 274555
The paper illustrates discriminatory practices towards professional female sports in the USA by describing and comparing historical and current attitudes and the effect they have had on the growth of female professional sports. It is shown that throughout history, professional sports in the USA have been dominated by men. While legislators have amended laws to ensure women's equal rights in educational institutions, female professional sports have been largely confined to golf and tennis. Professional women's sports teams have been established, but widespread support from the media has not been evident. Thus, female professional team sports are essentially non-existent compared with men's professional team sports. Three US women in history who helped promote the image of female athletes and contributed significantly towards the recognition of women in sport were Mildred 'Babe' Didrikson Zaharias, Althea Gibson, and Billie Jean King, in their respective sports of golf and tennis. Their roles are discussed. It is concluded that there are cultural, economic and social attitudes which need to be examined in addressing the question of female professional sports.