In honor of the 30th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day, female athletes of all ages and abilities will be recognized during half-time of the Salem College vs. Mary Baldwin College basketball game at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9 at the Salem Academy and College Gymnasium.

This will be Salem Academy and College’s inaugural observance of the national event focused on celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women and girls in sports.

“When we hear ‘Girls and Women In Sport,’ we often focus on traditional sport participation, but our hope, through this event, is to foster healthy communities that support fun, safe activities for all girls and women,” said DeAnne Brooks, assistant professor of exercise science at Salem College. “We want to highlight female athletes and physically active women to demonstrate the range of ways that girls and women engage in sports, and the multiple benefits that all people can gain from participating.”

This year’s NGWSD theme, “Leading the Way,” is a nod to all those individuals and organizations who are on the front line for girls and women in sports: the organizations committed to advancing women’s issues, athletes who have overcome barriers, coaches who challenge their teams to succeed, girls who have faith in their own potential and all those who continue to use the power of example to inspire greatness.

“At Salem Academy and College, we know that when girls participate in sports, they develop the leadership skills to excel in school, at home and in their communities,” Salem Academy Director of Athletics Lorie Howard said.

For 30 years, NGWSD has empowered women and girls to get moving, embrace physical activity and push past their limits both in sports and in life.