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Sports Moms

The recent USA World Cup victory has catapulted soccer and women's sports in general to new heights. The advances of the Women's National Basketball Association and the success of women in professional tennis and golf have captured unprecedented attention and purses.

Yet, these historic national and international gains have trickled down slowly to the local level. Sports moms - who rise before the crack of dawn and fall well after sunset - know of the remaining and frustrating roadblocks and stereotypes.

Women are still only about one-third of interscholastic and intercollegiate athletes. In addition, women college athletes receive less than 24 percent of college sports' operating budgets, and less than 18 percent of college recruiting money, according to a report from the Feminist Majority Foundation's "Empowering Women in Sports." A 1996 U.S. General Accounting Office study revealed eight national gender equity studies showing gains in the number of women's sports that schools offer to the percentage of scholarship funds available to female students, but many women's athletics programs lagged behind those for men in a variety of categories.

Because of these inequities, MomsRefuge hopes that by calling attention to successes - like the USA Women's World Cup team - that women athletes and their supportive moms will be encouraged by the recent gains and continue the fight for equity.

Basketball Proves to be Slam Dunk

While the Women's National Basketball Association inaugural all-star game July 14 represents another step in the legitimacy of the three-year old league, it also signals the permanence of the sport on the national landscape. Assisted by new promotional and marketing campaigns - within the professional and collegiate arenas - women's basketball will continue to score more points. Join the team by visiting our coverage.

Tennis Looking to Youth for Ace

While not every eye in the tennis world may be on Venus and Serena Williams, U.S. tennis is clearly hoping the two sisters can help revive the current doldrums surrounding the sport. Still, women's tennis has come a long way since Billie Jean King. See our coverage tennis.

U.S. Women Give a Kick to Soccer

Before record crowds, the 1999 Women's World Cup may prove to be one of the most important moments in women's sports. Brandi Chastain's shootout goal brought the USA to its second World Cup title and may have ensured that soccer's future is "feminine." For a review of the exciting tournament and finale, see our story.