National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), celebrated each year in the first week of February, highlights the achievements of female athletes, honors progress toward equity in athletics, and recognizes the powerful impact sports participation has on girls and women’s lives. The day was first established in 1987 and continues to be powered by organizations like the Women’s Sports Foundation, bringing attention to both triumphs and ongoing challenges for girls and women in sport.

By the Numbers — National Context:

Prior to Title IX, only 1 in 27 girls played high school sports; today that figure has improved to nearly 2 in 5 girls participating.

There are now over 3.4 million girls participating in high school athletics nationwide — a dramatic increase fueled by decades of expanded opportunity.

Despite this growth, research shows girls still have fewer athletic opportunities than boys, with an estimated 1 million participation opportunities still lagging behind boys at the high school level.

Why It Matters:
Girls who engage in sports benefit from improved physical and mental health, academic success, leadership development, and lifelong confidence. Athletic participation is linked to lower risks of chronic disease and stronger social-emotional skills — benefits that extend far beyond the playing field.

Walnut Hills High School Impact:
At Walnut Hills, our girls and young women continue this legacy of participation and achievement:

600+ female student-athletes contribute to our school’s athletic culture.

They compete across 18 varsity sports, representing Walnut Hills with passion and excellence.
These young athletes not only excel competitively but also model the leadership, teamwork, and resilience that NGWSD celebrates each year.

Today, we honor their efforts — and recommit to expanding opportunity, visibility, and equity for all girls and women in sport.