By Sophie Wimmer

National Girls and Women in Sports Day matters significantly to my team and to myself. As a 16-year-old in Agoura Hills, Calif., I have been active with sports my whole life. I have heard many discouraging comments that intend to put women down in sports. To me, many of the strongest and best athletes I know are my teammates. Dealing with misogynistic comments on women's sports can be brutal and destroy spirits but the fact that there is National Girls and Women in Sports Day proves that as a female athlete I should be proud of the work that my teammates and I put in every day. All of us have heard the same negative things about the games we play and the lack of support we receive just based on the fact that we are playing a women's sport.

Growing up, I was unaware of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. This day was not referenced to me and the young female athletes I knew. Making this day mainstream is essential for women as they are encouraged to celebrate being involved in sports no matter the obstacles. National Girls and Women in Sports Day poses an important reminder for the history of female sports as well as a celebration for the bright future.

This day allows me to envision the future and the past of women's sports. I imagine the girls before Title IX who were discouraged or turned away from competing for their schools. I think about Katherine Switzer in 1967 when she was the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon, the all-men's race, with men attacking and harassing her just for running. The women's United States National soccer team is another example of courage during adversity as they were able to earn equal pay for the intense work that they put in.

I also think about the girls who are in elementary school dominating PE with a love and passion for physical activity each and every day. These adolescents are unaware of the history of women in sports and how there were a lot of obstacles to overcome in order to get to where we are today. Learning the history of the strong women who paved the way for girls to be proud of their athletics makes the fire grow stronger for girls to continue this journey.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day is special to me because as a young woman I enjoy being strong, playing an intense sport, and representing my school. I am proud to go to class on game days with my ‘Agoura Water Polo’ shirt. I love wearing my suit with the ‘A’ right on the front. I’m inspired by my team of incredibly strong girls that I get to spend an abundant amount of my time with. My life would be completely different without sports and for that I celebrate this important day.