You Belong with Me: Celebrating Women’s Equality Day 2024
On August 26th, we commemorate Women’s Equality Day, which marks the adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920. This critical day is a potent reminder that women deserve full equality in all aspects of life, including sports. Let’s take a closer look at the fascinating history of women in sports, how it has evolved over centuries, and the ongoing challenges that female athletes face today. After all, we are sick of running as fast as we can, wondering if things would get done quicker if we were men.
Starting back in ancient Greece, women were already making history at sporting events, even if they weren’t exactly shaking off the limitations of their time. In the first Olympics, women could lace up their running shoes and take part in foot races and equestrian events, but other competitions were out of their reach. They even had their own moment in the spotlight with the Heraean Games, held at the main stadium in Olympia, dedicated to the goddess Hera. It was like the original “Fearless” moment, celebrating women’s athletic prowess in a world where their roles were often restricted.
As the 19th century approached, the “Blank Space” of gender equality seemed to fill up with more sexism. Women who dared to play sports faced the same kind of disapproval as a surprise breakup song might. The image of the ideal Victorian woman didn’t include strength or athleticism, but resilient women—much like Swift’s own defiant spirit—started their own informal recreational clubs, proving that they were not “Out of the Woods” when it came to fighting for their place in sports.
The 1900 Olympics were a “Wildest Dreams” scenario for women, as it marked their debut with 22 female competitors. This moment was especially significant because Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee, had some pretty “Bad Blood” against women’s sports, calling them “impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic, and incorrect.” His views, however, were as outdated as a vintage record and couldn’t diminish the fact that women’s sports were, and always will be, “All Too Well” — practical, entertaining, and beautiful to watch.
Despite the negativity, women like Alice Milliat were “Fearless” in their advocacy. She founded the Fédération Sportive Féminine Internationale in France, organizing the Women’s Olympiad in 1921, 1922, and 1923, and the Women’s World Games in 1922, 1926, 1930, and 1934. The 1940s saw the debut of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, a real “You Belong with Me” moment for female athletes. Finally, the 2012 London Olympics were a “Style” moment of triumph, where women competed in every single sport for the first time, proving that their place in the athletic world was a “Long Live” achievement.
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1972 was a pivotal “Change” moment for women in sports, much like Taylor Swift's transition from country to pop. The passing of Title IX of the Education Act was a game-changer, ensuring that women had equal opportunities in education and sports. This landmark ruling caused participation in women’s sports to soar, especially at the high school and collegiate levels. The very next year, the “Battle of the Sexes” was a headline-grabber, with Billie Jean King serving up a victory against Bobby Riggs in a tennis match. This was a major “You Need to Calm Down” moment for women’s tennis, proving that female athletes were ready to claim their spot in the spotlight.
Even with these victories, the road to equality in sports has had its share of “Bad Blood.” Issues like pay inequity, gender confirmation, and restrictions in certain countries still pose significant challenges. Female athletes continue to face hurdles every day as they fight for equal treatment and opportunities.
Controversies over female athletes with higher testosterone levels or those perceived as more “masculine” have stirred up “Reputation”-worthy debates. From 1968 to 1999, gender confirmation exams were a regular part of female athletes' lives. In 2011, the International Association of Athletics Federations required tests for high testosterone levels, adding another layer of scrutiny. More recently, the 2024 Paris Olympics saw Algerian boxer Imane Khelif battling not just opponents in the ring, but also horrific abuse over her gender. Despite the backlash, she triumphed with an Olympic gold medal.
The gender pay gap is prevalent in most occupations, but it is particularly stark in men’s and women’s sports. Professional women’s sports often struggle to provide athletes with a livable income, leading many to juggle second jobs. For instance, in 2021, the minimum salary for a WNBA player was $57,000, while a male NBA player’s minimum wage was $893,310. Similarly, in 2015, top male golfer Jordan Spieth raked in $12,030,465 in tour prize money, while top female golfer Stacy Lewis earned $1,893,423. The US women’s national soccer team has been particularly vocal about these disparities, successfully suing for equal pay and proving their hard work is “Not a Step Back.” In a major victory, the World Surf League announced equal pay for male and female athletes for all events starting in 2018, marking a “Welcome to New York” moment for gender equality in sports.
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Unfortunately, the road to equality still has some “Blank Spaces” where women are barred from playing sports altogether. In September 2021, the Taliban imposed a ban on women and girls participating in sports in Afghanistan, citing concerns over “inappropriate and immoral exposure of women’s bodies.” This move was a reminder that, despite their dedication and talent, female athletes are often not given the respect they deserve. The Afghan women who did make it to the Paris Olympics—sprinter Kimia Yousofi and the cycling sisters Yuldoz and Fariba Hashimi—faced the double standards and bias that Taylor Swift sings about in “The Man.” Their participation was overshadowed by the Taliban’s refusal to officially recognize them, with spokesperson Atal Nashwani dismissively referring only to the three male athletes as representatives of Afghanistan.
The issue of bans extends beyond Afghanistan. In France, a law prohibiting Muslim women from wearing hijabs while playing soccer reflects another instance of denying women the respect and opportunities they have earned. As Taylor Swift poignantly puts it, “They’d say I hustled, put in the work. They wouldn’t shake their heads and question how much of this I deserve.” Such policies isolate a significant population and deprive women of the opportunity to fully participate in sports, highlighting the ongoing struggle for recognition and respect in the athletic world.
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On a more encouraging note, social media has become a powerful “Love Story” for women’s sports, providing a platform to spotlight female achievements and shed light on the inequalities they face. With the click of a button, stories of determination and triumph can reach a global audience, and overcome the barriers women still encounter. Social media is instrumental in raising awareness and championing the cause of equal opportunities for all women in sports.
Every woman across the globe deserves the chance to lace up her sneakers and take the field with confidence. True women’s equality in sports will only be achieved when this is universally acknowledged and embraced. Celebrating Women’s Equality Day is not just about honoring those who have fought for women's rights in the past; it’s also about recognizing the ongoing efforts and acknowledging how much work remains. Just as Taylor Swift sings about perseverance and pushing through adversity, the fight for women’s equality in sports continues, and every victory brings us closer to a future where every woman can step into the arena without barriers.