Once a rarity, Women Sportswriters have become a fixture on the sideline at different American sporting events. For decades, Women Sportswriters have faced intimidation and harassment from male athletes, coaches, and even colleagues. Since the mid - 1970's, women sportswriters have been fighting for equal rights and equal respect in the male dominated world of professional sports. In the news profession, writing about sports is not considered hard-core news; nevertheless, cable networks have established television news channels for the sole purpose of reporting sports.Nearly all male sportswriters have grown up breathing sport rules and statics and many feel they know the rule book inside and out; however, they neglect to acknowledge the tremendous growth of female fans who support professional sport organizations. Many women lack the heritage and knowledge of sports trivia, which is the primary argument of many chauvinistic ideas; nonetheless, many women are learning the importance of sport statics through journalism programs that teach female students how to become sport writers.
Because professional sports are very important in American society acquiring fresh -off- the field interviews with players is essential to the careers of sportswriters. In our society, an on going national debate rages about the role and knowledge of women sportswriters; consequently, some people in America question whether women sports writers should be allowed into the male locker rooms. I strongly believe that women sports writers should have the same opportunity to perform their jobs and make a living just like their male colleagues. To deny women sportswriters that righ
t puts them at a great disadvantage to their male colleagues.Melissa Ludtke, a sports writer for Sports Illustrated, filed a civil suit in the Supreme Court in 1978 against the New York Yankees and Baseball Commissioner, Bowie Kahan, for implementing a policy which excluded accredited female sports writers from the locker room of the Yankee clubhouse. Melissa Ludtke won her suit and The Supreme Court ordered equal access into the male locker rooms for both genders. According to Melissa Ludtke, "The male athletes' problem with female reporters is rooted in stereotypical, outmoded and confining images of women, not at all suited to the reality of their actual lives."
Although the Supreme Court allowed women sportswriters into the male locker room, they soon learned that they were not welcome there. Some athletes, disappointed by the court’s decision, used nudity to show their disapproval. Amidst the hostile environment, women sportswriters vigorously continued to perform their jobs and pursue their goals. As a compromise, some reporters recommended the introduction of interview rooms in professional sports, while others denounced the idea as impractical.
Despite the criticism of women in the lock room, women sports writers have made great progress in their profession. The accomplishments of women sportswriters can be observed through the creation and contributions of the "Association for Women in Sports Media" organization. Nancy Cooney and colleagues founded the “AWSM” as a support network for women, which work to promote and increase diversity in sports media through internships, scholarships, and mentoring.
