Women’s Sports Foundation Honors Athletic Achievement At Its 29th Annual Salute To Women In Sports
Liukin, Mendoza, Knight and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour to be Honored
NEW YORK - Tonight, the Women’s Sports Foundation will host its 29th Annual Salute to Women in Sports, a black-tie fundraiser and awards dinner held at New York’s Waldorf=Astoria Hotel. The event, which features the presentation of the Team and Individual Sportswoman of the Year, Wilma Rudolph Courage and Billie Jean King Contribution Awards, was launched to give due recognition to female athletes, their coaches and their supporters. An institution in the women’s sports world, the Salute is where some of the world’s greatest female athletes are sure to reunite with their contemporaries and meet their heroes and up-and-comers. “The annual Women’s Sports Foundation event in New York is one of the most important dates of the year on my calendar, and it gives me an opportunity to meet many of our future stars – some for the first time – and reconnect with some of the greatest women in sports,” stated the organization’s founder, Billie Jean King.
Along with elite female athletes, luminaries from business, government and entertainment including multimedia executive Russell Simmons, CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour and Superbowl champion NY Giants’ Aaron Ross will gather to salute:
Nastia Liukin – Individual Sportswoman of the Year presented to a female athlete who has excelled in individual performances including records set and world championships won between August 1, 2007, and August 24, 2008.
During the past year, Liukin has placed in several national and international competitions, including three medals at the world championships in September 2007. With a total of nine medals, she is tied with Shannon Miller for the most world medals held by a U.S. gymnast.
At the Olympic Games in Beijing this August, Liukin surpassed expectations. She led the U.S. team with five medals and won the gold in the all-around competition, making her the third U.S. gymnast in history to take away the all-around title. She was the only member of the American team to qualify for three event finals and earned a medal in each one. Liukin also set the highest score given to an individual during the entire competition, which helped the United States win the silver medal. She joined Mary Lou Retton and Shannon Miller as the only American gymnasts to have won five medals during a single Olympic Games.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Women’s Sports Foundation. Their mission promotes healthy living and progression in athletics for women,” Liukin said. “This award stands for so many things I believe in.”
Jessica Mendoza – Team Sportswoman of the Year presented to female athletes who have excelled in team sports between August 1, 2007, and August 24, 2008.
Following the decision to remove softball as an event from the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Jessica Mendoza and the U.S. National Women’s Softball Team made a valiant showing in what may be their final Olympic effort, not just for the team but for their sport. During the 2008 pre-Olympic tour, the team played 60 games in more than 45 cities. Mendoza’s hitting record sparked excitement with a .495 average, 102 hits, 107 RBIs and 21 home runs.
Mendoza was the third batter during the Olympic Games in Beijing, for which Olympic coach Mike Candera noted “…to hit third in our order is quite an honor.” Her average of .333 in 24 at bats, including four home runs, helped lead her team win the silver medal. She tied for first in stolen bases, ranked second in home runs and third in runs batted in.
Nominations for the individual and team Sportswoman of the Year Awards are made by national governing bodies, sports organizations, sports historians, media, members of the Women's Sports Foundation advisory board and trustees, and the general public.
Sony Ericsson WTA Tour – Billie Jean King Contribution Award presented to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the Women’s Sports Foundation and inspired girls and women to become more responsible for their own health through sport, fitness or physical activity.
In 2007, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour fulfilled a 30-year goal of parity for men and women and put the Tour on the top of the list for the 2008 BJK Contribution Award when it secured equal prize money for players at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2007.
The Tour evolved from the actions of nine women — Billie Jean King, Rosie Casals, Nancy Richey, Kerry Melville, Peaches Bartkowicz, Kristy Pigeon, Judy Dalton, Valerie Ziegenfuss and Julie Heldman—who, in 1970, signed $1 contracts with World Tennis publisher Gladys Heldman in order to create a separate women’s tennis tour. Three years later that gamble led to the birth of women’s professional tennis and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), which today is the world’s largest premier professional sport for women. The Tour is now led by Chairman and CEO Larry Scott, who called the opportunity to continue the work of “the nine courageous women who started this organization a privilege and the honor from the Women’s Sports Foundation is a meaningful affirmation of our work.”
Patience Knight - Wilma Rudolph Courage Award Winner presented to a female athlete(s) who exemplifies extraordinary courage in athletic performance, makes significant contributions to sports and serves as a role model to those who face challenges. The first Wilma Rudolph Award was presented in 1996 to Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
In February 2007 the 21-year-old Texas Tech athlete was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor near her heart and began treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. Although the news led Knight to believe she would have to redshirt her 2007 spring season Knight returned to practice as soon as she received permission.
“The obstacles life holds for each of us should not hold us back, especially from doing the things we are gifted to do, and for me, that is track and field,” stated Knight. “I thank the Women’s Sports Foundation not just for recognizing me, but for recognizing that courage and perseverance are qualities worth striving for,” continued the Texas Tech star.
As Knight slowly returned to training, she eventually qualified for the NCAA meet in June of 2007. She then discovered that a piece of tubing used to administer the chemo treatment had dislodged and wedged in her heart, and would have to be removed. Despite set-backs, Knight continued to throw and receive accolades in 2008 including her first All-American honor.
The Annual Salute to Women in Sports is co-presented by Advanta, ESPN and Gatorade. With their support tonight's event will raise more than $1 million for the Foundation and its programs.
About the Women’s Sports Foundation
The Women’s Sports Foundation—the leading authority on the participation of women and girls in sports—advocates for equality, educates the public, conducts research and offers grants to promote sports and physical activity for girls and women.
Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, the Women’s Sports Foundation builds on her legacy as a champion athlete, advocate of social justice and agent of change. We strive for gender equity and fight discrimination in all aspects of athletics.
Our work shapes public attitude about women’s sports and athletes, builds capacities for organizations that get girls active, provides equal opportunities for girls and women, and supports physically and emotionally healthy lifestyles.
The Women’s Sports Foundation is recognized worldwide for its leadership, vision, strength, expertise and influence.
For more information, please call the Women’s Sports Foundation at 800.227.3988 or visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.