published May 7, 2011 at 4:10pm CDT
WHEEL ACTION: MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH
Despite what recent chilly temperatures and#40;at least in LAand#41; may be telling us, spring really is on its way! This is the start of National Bike Month so we thought we’d bring you some new bikes and cycling accessories to get you and your family ready for two-wheel transportation: National Bike Month Notes: May 16 – 20, 2011 is officially “Bike to Work Week” and Friday, the 20th is the 17th annual “Bike to Work Day.” Sadly, there is also an official “Ride of Silence” to honor fallen cyclists–which is also a nationwide observance on May 19. Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. The League of American Bicyclists promotes awareness of National Bike Month by offering “50 ways to celebrate bike month.” Cool bike accessories and Pretty Tough Picks. With all the attention on healthy lifestyles and the importance of exercise–bike month might be just what [Read More]published May 3, 2011 at 6:44pm CDT
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNEY AT SARASOTA POLO CLUB
While in Florida last week on spring break, I was looking for something to do other than attend one of the dozens of baseball games being played by pro teams training in the area. What I found was the Ritz-Carlton Members Club presenting the 2011 U.S.P.A. Women’s Championship Tournament and#40;WCTand#41; Qualifier at the Sarasota Polo Club. The WCT is the largest women’s polo tournament series in the world and over the course of the first five seasons, has set the standard as the premier women’s polo event in the United States. If you’ve ever seen the film “Pretty Woman,” you undoubtedly remember the scene when Julia Roberts attends a polo match with Richard Gere. Attending a match at the Sarasota Polo Club is very much like the movie and#40;though not as formal as Robert’s white gloves might indicateand#41;. Polo, a team sport played on horseback, is popular in more than 60 countries around the world. The match begins when the ball is thrown in by one of the umpires, who to [Read More]published March 21, 2011 at 1:57pm CDT
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HONORS JOAN BAEZ FOR A LIFETIME OF HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY
Amnesty International turns 50 this year, and closely linked to Amnesty’s legacy of championing human rights is that of folk legend Joan Baez. Baez was an active supporter of Amnesty from the start, stuffing envelopes at their first home office in San Francisco– not coincidentally, where this year’s Annual General Meeting is being held. This Friday, as part of their anniversary AGM, Joan Baez will be honored for a lifetime of human rights solidarity and advocacy. Her receiving the award also marks an exciting beginning, as it will establish the Amnesty International Joan Baez Award for Outstanding, Inspirational Service in the Global Fight for Human Rights. The award will be given to artists – working in music, film, fine arts or other media – who similarly contribute to the advancement of human rights. Baez will be presented with the first award in recognition of her historic, ground-breaking and courageous human rights work with Amnesty International and beyond, and the [Read More]published March 15, 2011 at 2:04pm CDT
published March 14, 2011 at 7:56pm CDT
WRITE A POST FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
The month of March marks a global celebration of women’s talents, achievements and contributions to society. Every year, since the United Nations proclaimed March 8th International Women’s Day in 1977, organizations around the world host a variety of events honoring those with a double x chromosome. Women should be recognized for their strengths and accomplishments and we don’t do it enough so this month provides a really great an opportunity to turn the spotlight on the roles that women play as leaders, policy-makers, athletes, caregivers, educators, and peacemakers from the past to present day. From the New York Times Learning Blog comes this great, thought-provoking assignment: What makes an athlete ‘great’? Choose your own “most memorable female athlete of the the year” and write a newspaper profile or blog post, or make your own video, about her. How does she compare with her predecessors? Are girls’ sports popular at your school? Why or why not? Conside [Read More]published March 2, 2011 at 1:48am CST
WRITE A POST FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
The month of March marks a global celebration of women’s talents, achievements and contributions to society. Every year, since the United Nations proclaimed March 8th International Women’s Day in 1977, organizations around the world host a variety of events honoring those with a double x chromosome. Women should be recognized for their strengths and accomplishments and we don’t do it enough so this month provides a really great an opportunity to turn the spotlight on the roles that women play as leaders, policy-makers, athletes, caregivers, educators, and peacemakers from the past to present day. From the New York Times Learning Blog comes this great, thought-provoking assignment: What makes an athlete ‘great’? Choose your own “most memorable female athlete of the the year” and write a newspaper profile or blog post, or make your own video, about her. How does she compare with her predecessors? Are girls’ sports popular at your school? Why or why not? Conside [Read More]published March 1, 2011 at 11:57am CST
BLACK HISTORY MONTH – HONORING FEMALE ATHLETES
Over the years, there have been many great black athletes. This month, to celebrate Black History Month, we’d like to honor some of the women who have contributed to the soul of sports. Pioneers Althea Gibson was a pioneer in both amateur tennis and professional golf. In 1942, Althea entered and won her first tennis tournament. In 1947, Althea won the first of ten straight ATA National Championships. In 1956, she won the French Championships and, in 1957, won the All-England Championships at Wimbledon and U.S. National Tennis Championships at Forest Hills. Althea retired from amateur tennis in 1958 after she had won Wimbledon. In 1964, Gibson launched her golf career, joining the LPGA. She retired in 1971. Another pioneer, Zina Garrison, became the first black woman to reach a Grand Slam Final and#40;1990and#41;. She began playing tennis at the age of ten and held 20 major doubles championships before the end of her career. Tennis Both Gibson and Garrison are sports legends who paved [Read More]published February 4, 2011 at 3:36pm CST
HAPPY NATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY!
Today, I’m celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day by actually playing. I’ve got a rec game scheduled for tonight at 7pm, and play with a community of women who live in NYC and have played competitive basketball at some point in their lives and#40;most in collegeand#41;. It’s a lot of fun, and typically involves quite a bit of drinking afterward. Can’t think of a better way to celebrate! Also, here are some great ways to celebrate… also make sure you check back to WomenTalkSports.com for a flurry of blog posts from our network today. [Read More]published February 2, 2011 at 4:43pm CST
2011 EMPIRE STATE BUILDING RUN-UP
The 34th annual NYRR Empire State Building Run-Up is set to take place on Tuesday, 1 February 2011. Who knew there was such a thing as a tower climbing competition? Apparently quite a few people. The most famous stair race and, according to the organizers, the oldest of its kind, the Empire State Building Run Up will test the limits of some 315 competitors from 19 states and 17 countries. The race is up 86 flights—1,576 steps—to the outdoor observation deck of the landmark Art Deco skyscraper and the tallest building in New York City. If the thought of a broken escalator or elevator fills you with dread, then stay away from this competition. Only the fit and fearless need apply. In 2010, Thomas Dold of Germany crossed the finish line in 10 minutes, 16 seconds. Three-time winner Suzy Walsham of Sydney, Australia, finished in 13:27 in 2009 and Melissa Moon won last year with a time of 13:13. Dold, who graduated in 2009 from his college in Stuttgart, Germany, is a standout in th [Read More]published January 9, 2011 at 1:44pm CST