National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebrates female athletes at all levels of athletics. Founded in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan, the holiday also serves to recognize the 1972 Title IX legislature. “Title IX has resulted in an increase in women’s athletic participation rather than a decrease in men’s athletic participation,” according to a report by the Women’s Sports Foundation.

The skills women learn through sports can also be used in entrepreneurship, according to a report by Ernst & Young and ESPNW. Athletics teach women resilience, confidence, passion, single-mindedness and leadership, which can be used in business.

Being an active member of a sports team also instills leadership qualities like setting goals, prioritizing time, working with coaches and reducing pressure and stress.

Women are still continuing to make new strides in sports. Early this year, Sarah Thomas made history as the first woman to referee an NFL playoff game, according to CBS.

Celebrate today by supporting NIU’s women’s sports teams. Today at 6 p.m., our women’s basketball team faces off against Bowling Green. This Friday, the tennis team will be playing Bradley University in Rockford, IL at 12 p.m.

Use #GirlsAndWomenInSportsDay to share your thoughts on social media.