National Girls and Women in Sports Day
A virtual celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Since 1996, the Virginia Department of Athletics and the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center have collaborated in a celebration of the National Girls and Women in Sports Day, an event that brings national attention to the achievements of female athletes and to issues facing girls and women in sport.
Although we cannot celebrate in person this year, it is essential to recognize and advocate for the amazing achievements of girls and women in sport, while also acknowledging the progress that must continue to be made.
UVA is proud to celebrate our Olympians, our National Champions, our Barrier Breakers, and all those that have made contributions to girls and women, on and off the playing field, every day.
Past Honorees
| Year | Celebration Theme | Honorees |
| 2020 | Breaking Barriers On Any Field | Jennifer Langton |
| 2019 | Honor the Legacy, Celebrate the Future | Jane Miller |
| 2018 | Champions for Life | 1992-93 ACC Champion Women’s Basketball Team |
| 2017 | Achieving your Dreams | Leah Smith |
| 2016 | Teammates for Life | 1991 NCAA Champion Women’s Lacrosse Team |
| 2015 | Bold in the Pursuit of Excellence | Meghan O’Leary |
| 2014 | Celebrating Lifelong Leadership in Women’s Athletics | Amy Griffin |
| 2013 | Olympic Gold | Lauren Perdue |
| 2012 | Pan Am Gold | Michelle Vittese and Paige Selenski |
| 2011 | Breaking the Glass Ceiling | Natalie Randolph |
| 2010 | Olympic Gold Medalist | Lindsay Shoop |
| 2009 | Foundation of Excellence | Barbara Kelly |
| 2008 | Virginia WinS | Kathy Sudduth, Brenda Langdon, Hannah Catherine Munro, Regina Kirk, Kerri Taylor, Becky Anderson, Kay Gay Groves, Linda Perrello |
| 2007 | Celebrating the UVA Athletics Family | Heidi Burge Horton and Heather Burge Quella (WBB), Lorraine Vizzuzo Castle & Michelle Vizzuzo Crawford (FH), Ashley Mayo-Karkus & Kira Mayo-Karkus (Golf), Julie Williams Martin & Susie Williams Trautwein (Lax), Beth Clark & Tammy Clark Mehta (Row), Kristen Di Millio & Tracey Di Millio (WSOC), Kristen Dennis & Lauren Dennis (SB), Margaret Martin Williamson, Maureen Martin Smith & Julie Elizabeth Martin (diving), Cheri O’Donnell Downing & Keri O’Donnell Nimitz (WTEN), Emily Kirkwood and Sarah Kirkwood (VB) |
| 2006 | 25 Years of NCAA Championships for Women | Eileen Schmidt (SB), Meridith Thorpe (FH), Amy Burns (row), Julie Myers (Lax), Leah Wigger (golf), Mirjana Bosevska (swim), Dawn Cromer (XC), Kamiesha Otey (TF), Jessica Parsons (VB), Anna Prillaman (WBB) |
| 2005 | Milestone- Virginia Women’s Golf’s First Team | Jan Mann, Sally Shonk , Rachel Smith, Danielle Rodebush, Kira Mayo, Leah Wigger, Michelle Graham, Lindsay Robinson, Ashley Mayo |
| 2004 | A Legacy of Excellence: Advocate, Mentor, Leader | Claudia Dodsen |
| 2003 | Champions Beyond the Playing Fields | Shamim Sisson, Penny Rue, Carol Gutman, Pat Lampkin, Rebecca Leonard, Amy Cronin, Karen Holt , Sylvia Terry |
| 2002 | Front Runners & Champions | Leslie Welch, Dana Slater, Martha Collins , Marisa Steele, Mary Jean McCarthy, Lisa Brady, Jill Haworth Jones, Aileen Hannigan |
| 2001 | Role Models, Leaders & Champions | April Heinrichs , Angela Hucles |
| 2000 | Shapers of the World | Paige Pippen, Tracy Nelson, Cecilia Bean Payne |
| 1999 | Leader & Mentor | Peggy Boutilier |
| 1998 | Groundbreakers & Builders | Susan Allen Kamoff, Lindsay Byrne Wortham, Ellen Feldman Roberts, Linda Southworth, President Frank L. Hereford, Mr. James O. West, Mr. Gene Corrigan, Susan Shannon |
| 1997 | Saluting UVA Legends | Andrea Rubio, Dana Boone, Kristen Reed, Dr. Linda Bunker, Lindsay Sheehan Bradley, Melanie Valerio |
| 1996 | Pioneers in UVA Athletics | Amanda Cromwell (WSOC), Cathy Grimes-Miller (WBB), Margaret Sloan (TF), Cheryl Gleason (FH), Lisa Palmer (SB), Karen Burgess Williamson (Swim), Deborah Tyson (VB, Kara Nuss (Swim), Caren Saunders, Dr. Mary Slaughter (Men’s Tennis), Dr. Sue Shapiro (Trainer), Heather Dow (FH & Lax)
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