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March 8 was first celebrated as International Women’s Day in Europe in 1911. At that time, in many European nations women's rights were a politically hot topic and winning the vote was a priority of many women’s organisations. Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia were among the leading-edge radical suffrage activists – the suffragettes – in the final stages of the English campaign. Later came the economic depression of the 1930s that hit both sides of the Atlantic; World War II followed and women’s rights took a nose dive. However, in the 1950s and 1960s, the boredom and isolation of the middle-class housewife, who often gave up intellectual and professional aspirations, meant the need for women’s liberation was greater than ever and the movement saw a revival, with interest in women’s issues blooming. With this new-found consciousness women haven’t looked back. We got the vote and some of us get the privilege of education, yet in other areas such as sport we are still seen as subordinate to our male counterparts. In capitalist South Korea for example, women are seen as ‘lady-like’ – demure, beautiful and customarily dependent on their fathers or husbands. The women’s national football team is almost unheard-of – gradually rising in profile as football becomes increasingly popular, but essentially marginal. The same too is evident in the field of women’s body-building. Not only are women overlooked because of their gender, but if those women are Black and don’t fit the blonde and blue-eyed image it’s an all-time struggle. In boxing too they have taken their fair share of criticism even if they are the daughters of famous fathers. But then there are also those who are slowly seeping through, and breaking down gender, race and disability barriers. BS charts the rise of America’s Stephanie Ready, the first female coach for a professional male basketball team, and Vonetta Flowers, who has given them gold in bobsleigh after 46 years. And who says Black people can’t swim? Meet DiAna DiAna who started her own diving club in South Carolina. BS also talks to 800m athlete Maria Mutola – Mozambique’s golden girl – about her fears and interests outside of the sport. On home turf, England’s national coach Hope Powell is getting her squad in motion for the Women’s 2003 World Cup; and Fulham’s chairman, Mohamed Al Fayed, tells BS why he’s leading the way with women’s professional football. Teenage sprinter Shanelle Smith hasn’t let her learning disability deter her from winning medal after medal and now she’s even taken up high jumping. She’s definitely one to watch. And for our younger readers, catch up on what’s happening in our grass-roots section, there’s bound to be something to grab your interest and get you in the mood to participate in a sport you’ll like. World Cup 2002 is almost on its way and so too is Manchester 2002 – I can’t wait, so be ready for the forthcoming issues. BS will as usual bring you the best stories from around the globe with brilliant pictures you’ll want to keep. Our special ‘Women in Sport’ issue illustrates the diversity of women and sport – all the athletes who are serious about their field train as hard as men and sacrifice just as much – if not more – to become the best. BS joins in celebration not only in the month of March, but every day, every month and every year. Cherry-Ann Carew Editor |
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