Sports are much more than just a game or just a competition. Sports are an opportunity to learn more about yourself and develop skills that will benefit you in and out of competition. National Girls and Women in Sports Day is all about celebrating and encouraging the involvement of females in sports, so more women can emerge as leaders in sports and life. At USA Cycling, we are lucky to have so many talented and passionate women that are committed to connecting girls and women to sports. Here’s what they have to say about their experiences in sports and how they use their love for sports to enact change.
Angelina Palermo, Marketing Content Specialist
"When I was younger, I always thought it would be cool to work with bikes, and why not work at the country’s cycling headquarters. What once seemed to be an unattainable long-term goal, turned into moving across the country by myself, a year after college graduation, for my first day of work at my dream job. Now I have the opportunity to tell the stories of the inspirational people I have met growing up, as well as the many more that I will continue to meet along the way.
I started racing cross-country mountain bikes at a young age and was part of the Kate Courtney generation of racing. It’s so inspiring to see all that she’s accomplished in the sport and the impact she has made on the community, showing us what is possible and what is still to come. I later gravitated toward downhill mountain biking, racing professionally in college. With noticeably less women than men, it made women want to see change more than ever. There was always prize money and results on the line, but we all wanted to grow the sport and help one another. We would ride together in practices, encourage each other to take new lines, and aim to boost confidence, no matter the level of racer or competition. To this day, all of the people I have met through cycling, even my biggest competitors, have become my life-long friends."
History of the Celebration from Women's Sports Foundation
"The Women’s Sports Foundation was established in 1974 to advance the lives of women and girls through sports and physical activity. February 5, 2020, marks the 34th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). This celebration inspires girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power. The confidence, strength and character gained through sports participation are the very tools girls and women need to become strong leaders in sports and life."
Join us in Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day February 5th, 2020!
