Women’s Empowerment: An Overview of the Latest History-Makers in Sports Today
By: Tialena Evans
Women in sports.
That’s it. That’s the tweet.
But no seriously, now more than ever, women are emerging into leadership roles in professional sports and they mean business.
In a predominantly male field, women are slowly but surely breaking the status quo and making history. Just over the past year, we have seen more women climb to new heights in professional leagues such as full-time coaches, analysts, owners, referees, general managers and even as players.
To showcase the great deal of history being made, here is a look into the latest woman pioneers in professional sports.
1. Doris Burke
David E. Klutho / Sports Illustrated / Getty
It is only right to start this list off with a sports media trailblazer, that is Doris Burke, also dubbed as “the Lebron James of sportscasters”. In September of last year, it was announced that she will serve as a game analyst for the NBA Finals on ESPN, becoming the first woman in history to do so for the finals on any platform.
Doris Burke will call the conference finals and NBA Finals for ESPN Radio. She'll be the first woman to serve as a game analyst on a radio or network TV broadcast that far into the playoffs.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 9, 2020
History for Doris 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BXFnPO3H7b
Firsts are nothing new to the pioneering sports reporter out of New Jersey, as she actually holds the title of many. Back in 2000, she became the first female commentator for a New York Knicks game on radio and on television, the first female commentator for The Big East men’s game, and the first woman to be the primary commentator on a men’s college basketball conference package.
Doris Burke has been honored for her pioneering work, as she was selected to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame as the 2018 Curt Gowdy Media Award winner.
2. Sarah Thomas
Earlier this month it was announced that Sarah Thomas will make NFL history as the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl on February 7th in Tampa, Florida. She will serve as the down judge.
Thomas is truly the epitome of women’s excellence, as this is not the first time she’s made a name for herself in the history books. She became the first permanent female NFL official in 2015 and the first female to officiate an NFL playoff game in 2019.
“Sarah Thomas has made history again as the first female Super Bowl official,” NFL executive vice president of football operations, Troy Vincent Sr said.
“Her elite performance and commitment to excellence has earned her the right to officiate the Super Bowl.
The #SBLV crew:
— NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) January 19, 2021
• Carl Cheffers (R)
• Fred Bryan (U)
• Sarah Thomas (DJ)
• Rusty Baynes (LJ)
• James Coleman (FJ)
• Eugene Hall (SJ)
• Dino Paganelli (BJ)
• Mike Wimmer (RO)
Sarah makes history as the first woman to officiate in a Super Bowl. https://t.co/EVvz45QgFx pic.twitter.com/tDvWZPx9JG
Thomas has undoubtedly given women all around the world the confidence to pursue the same dreams and aspirations that she made possible.
3. Jeanie Buss
Now, this one is pretty interesting, but nonetheless marked into the history books.
The Lakers president made history in October as she became the first female controlling owner to win an NBA Championship.
#BossWoman Alert 🚨
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 12, 2020
Congratulations to Jeanie Buss for becoming the first female owner to win an @NBA Championship 🏆 pic.twitter.com/gHzwOjbIQo
Before you say anything, I know what you’re thinking— “She didn’t do anything” “Magic quit, the position fell into her lap!”
Although those statements may partially be true, that doesn’t denounce that facts are facts. And honestly, without her leadership skills that she’s gained along her career, the Lakers organization could’ve gone deep into the dumps.
4. Sarah Fuller
Sarah Fuller warms up before the game against Missouri at Faurot Field.
Hunter Dyke/Handout Photo/USA Today Sports
Who says women can’t play football?
Sarah Fuller made history in December as being the first woman to play and score in a Power 5 football game.
NEW at the TN Sports Hall of Fame: @SarahFuller_27's @VandyFootball jersey from the 2020 Season. Fuller is the first female to play and score in a Power 5 Football Game, and we're thrilled to have that achievement represented in the Hall.
— Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (@theTSHF) January 22, 2021
Free admission thanks to @CurbRecords pic.twitter.com/WH1Ju2FXDL
Fuller is goalkeeper for the Vanderbilt Commodores soccer team but those checkered balls aren’t the only thing she can boot.
She kicked off for the Commodores football team against Missouri on November 28 and two weeks later against Tennessee, she kicked an extra point.
Fuller may have just open the door to the possibility of more women slapping on helmets and running out of the tunnel on game days.
5. Bianca Smith
Black history is something that should not be celebrated lightly. Especially in a league that at one time didn’t allow an ounce of melanin on the rosters.
Now, they run the team.
Earlier this month the Red Sox hired Bianca Smith as a Minor League coach, making her the first black woman to serve as a coach in the history of professional baseball.
Bianca Smith joins the Boston Red Sox minor league organization, becoming the first Black woman to coach in professional baseball history 🙏 pic.twitter.com/g22EbRxvOu
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 5, 2021
"I don't want to limit myself and I want to go as I can," Smith said. "I want to continue to challenge myself and right now, that [goal] is MLB manager.
Smith has already broken barriers, and she has many more on her to do list.
6. Kim Ng
Kim Ng shows off the World Series ring she won with the Yankees in 1998. Today, Ng is baseball's highest ranking female executive. Bryce Duffy/Getty Images
To cap off this trailblazers list is Kim Ng. In November the Miami Marlins named her as their new general manager, making her the first woman and Asian American GM in Major League Baseball.
“Asian-Americans don’t get to be ‘from’ America.”
— Pablo S. Torre (@PabloTorre) November 16, 2020
To understand how @Marlins GM Kim Ng became the first female GM in major US sports history — and MLB’s first Asian-American GM — you should know about this one night. Exactly 17 years before.#ESPNDaily: https://t.co/TVYn0wx8Va pic.twitter.com/9mfLOxvMrC
Ng (pronounced Ang) is not a stranger to management roles in the MLB. She joined the Yankees in 1998 after working for the American League as director of waivers and records. Then at just 29, she became the youngest assistant GM in the majors at that time.
The Ridgewood native won her first World Series ring as the team’s assistant general manager with the NY Yankees back in ‘98.
She now looks forward to winning her first title as a GM in the future.
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