A timeline of a handful of modern key moments in the field of Minnesota women’s sports:
In 1999, Minnesota Lynx make their WNBA debut
In 2008, Wrestler Ali Bernard on her way to Beijing Olympics
In 2011, the Minnesota Lynx make it to the WNBA finals for the first time
In 2017, St. Paul’s Suni Lee sees her Olympic dream on the horizon
These and more that you can hear in this curated collection.
[This collection was curated by Shandi Burrows, Archival Assistant]
February 4, 2010 - 20 athletes from Minnesota participated in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, seven of which were curlers. Two of them, Allison Pottinger and John Benton, talked with MPR’s Cathy Wurzer about the upcoming Olympics and how they felt about representing their state.
June 3, 2011 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Maya Moore, the Minnesota Lynx number one draft pick. Moore says she's happy to be in the Women's National Basketball Association and in Minnesota. She shares a bit of her journey to this point and also speaks on community matters.
September 30, 2011 - MPR’s Matt Sepic reports on the Minnesota Lynx headed to Game One of the WNBA Finals. It's the Lynx's first trip to the women's professional basketball championship.
April 27, 2012 - MPR’s Elizabeth Baier profiles the Faribault Hot Shots and the Wanamingo Bulldogs, the only two granny basketball teams in Minnesota. Players share their love of the game and physical activity.
June 28, 2013 - On this episode of Minnesota Sounds and Voices, MPR’s Dan Olson profiles several women's Hmong American flag football teams as they prepare to compete at this year's Hmong Freedom Celebration. Playing the game was a formidable cultural hurdle the young Hmong American women had to overcome, as families place a high value on women as wives, rather than competitors.
March 24, 2014 - The University of Minnesota Women's Hockey team lost to Clarkson 5-4 in the 2014 NCAA Championship Game. The loss prevented the Gophers from winning their third straight title. MPR's Phil Picardi spoke with Howard Sinker, a digital sports editor for the Star Tribune, about the game and the fact that it wasn't on television.
September 24, 2015 - MPR’s Laura Yuen profiles Oakdale teen Amaiya Zafar, a female boxer whose is fighting in and out of the boxing ring. Zafar is trying to compete in ring fully covered, according to her Islamic principles. That is something boxing authorities are against, siting safety concerns.
October 16, 2015 - MPR’s Sophie Nikitas reports on how women, specifically Anna Schwinn, are helping grow the sport of women’s competitive track cycling in Minnesota.
March 12, 2017 - MPR’s Laura Yuen talks with athlete Christina Ginther on why she is suing the Minnesota Vixen over discrimination against her for being transgender.
June 9, 2017 - MPR’s Nancy Yang profiles Sunisa Lee, the 14-year-old St. Paul gymnast, who is believed to be the first Hmong American to make the national gymnastics team. Suni, as many people call her, is focused on making the 2020 Olympic Gymnastics Team. It’s a goal supported by her parents, coach…and community.