Collection
Play Like a Girl: Evolution of Women's Sports in Minnesota
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.
56 Collection Items
- Nicole Lavoi on women's sports boom
MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Nicole LaVoi, director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, on the women’s sports boom in Minnesota.
- Professional transgender disc golfer suing sport's top league for discrimination in Minnesota
MPR’s Nina Moini interviews Natalie Ryan on her love for the sport of disc golf, as well as why she is suing one of the leagues in Minnesota.
- "Skate Dreams" changes the conversation about women on the board
MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Jessica Edwards on her new documentary, Skate Dreams. The documentary premiered in Minnesota at the end of September 2022 at the Duluth Superior Film Festival. Skate Dreams follows the rise of women’s skateboarding. It’s the first feature documentary to capture the story behind the rise of women’s skateboarding.
- ‘A ton of hammers in here’: Augsburg's new women’s wrestling team kicks off season
MPR’s Julia Franz reports on the Augsburg College varsity women’s wrestling team. The 2019-20 season is the first for varsity women’s wrestling at Augsburg…and the only one in Minnesota.
- Why are women athletes still paid less than men?
Why do women continue to get paid less? And does the lack of investment translate into fewer opportunities for development and sponsorship? MPR’s Kerri Miller interviews Gigi Marvin, three-time Olympic forward for the U.S. Women's National hockey team; and Mary Jo Kane, director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota about the gender pay gap within sports.
- Modesty and the Olympics draws Muslim girls to fencing in Rochester
MPR’s Catharine Richert reports on the growing popularity of fencing among Muslim girls.
- St. Paul Hmong American gymnast Suni Lee leaps toward her Olympic dream and history
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.
- Transgender athlete sues Minnesota Vixen women's football team for discrimintation
MPR’s Laura Yuen talks with athlete Christina Ginther on why she is suing the Minnesota Vixen over discrimination against her for being transgender.
- Young Reporters: Women cyclists create space on the track
MPR’s Sophie Nikitas reports on how women, specifically Anna Schwinn, are helping grow the sport of women’s competitive track cycling in Minnesota.
- Amaiya Zafar wants to box competitively...and modestly
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.