Women’s History Month reflections of progress by Mickey Davis and Pat Winslow Connolly

SACRAMENTO - The month of March is dedicated to reflecting on the often-overlooked history of women’s contributions to culture, history, and society, such as sport. The celebration grew from California in 1978 when women’s contribution to history were left out of school curriculum. Fast forward to 1980 when President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring National Women’s History Week, and six years later Congress expanded the event to the entire month.

It is only fitting that the association highlight two women who made history, Mickey Davis and Pat Winslow Connolly.

Mickey Davis, Dean & Athletic Director, Associate Dean, Head Coach
Coming from humble beginnings, Mickey was the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. Unfortunately, Mickey did not have a chance to compete at the intercollegiate level since her college career preceded the passage of Title IX. However, her love of both basketball and softball led her to coaching at the high school level and eventually leading her to Atlanta, Georgia where she found herself in the midst of the social justice movement led by Martin Luther King. Following her days in the Southeast portion of the country, Mickey headed West.

She eventually settled at Long Beach City College (LBCC) serving as an administrator for 16 years with a stop prior coaching softball at Golden West College, winning two state titles, and volunteering as an assistant golf coach at the College of the Desert. She followed with a short stint at Santa Ana College before her retirement in August of 2004. Mickey is a member of the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame, California Community College Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the South Carolina Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Legendary LBCC coach Donna Prindle and Mickey worked together following the passage of Title IX to ensure opportunities were provided per the law. As she reflects today, there is still work to be done. Specifically, she said,  “More enrollment in classes addressing women in sport.  Every athlete should understand the history of sport in general, and their sport specifically. To be a student of the game is fundamental to playing the game…  Every girl and woman who has the opportunity to play sport, does so on the back of a sister who was a warrior for equal opportunity for girls and women in sport and in life.  Very few kids today have any idea of what it took and how they should continue the work. Furthermore, the provision for equal coaching positions for men and women is an ongoing struggle that has seen great improvement. However, the trend seems to be that men coach girls and women, more so than women coaching girls and women. I think the reasons for this trend need to be addressed. Successful women coaches, currently coaching or retired, should be mentoring young female coaches.”

Mickey’s experiences as an athlete predate Title IX, but she ensured the progress afford by the law as a coach and administrator. She shared advice to current administrators to. “Discover how men’s and women’s programs can and do work together to have the best possible experience for student athletes when they arrive on campus,” she said. “Make it a priority to establish opportunities to form relationships that would enable communication with not only athletic personnel, but all personnel across campus. Always remember your position is to serve the student-athlete. It is about respect, collegiality and forming relationships where you work.”

Pat Winslow Connolly, Track & Field Athlete, Olympian, Head Coach
A Bay Area native, Pat Daniels Winslow Connolly, is a world-renowned Olympian in addition to the first--ever Women’s Track and Field Head Coach at UCLA in 1972.

Pat won not only AAU national championship in the 880-yard run, but she also competed internationally representing the United States in three Olympic Games and has set countless records as a track and field athlete. She went on to do the same as a collegiate coach training Evelyn Ashford and Allyson Felix.

The College of San Mateo graduate and Hall of Fame inductee recalls the days prior to the passage of Title IX. “I was coming up through the ranks long before Title IX, and there were simply no opportunities, that’s one of the reasons that I think it’s so important now, whether it’s boys or girls, that they have the opportunity to participate in sports.”

Title IX had overreaching effects beyond the realm of athletics Pat acknowledges stating, “It gave millions of girls and women the opportunity to play sports in high schools and colleges. Getting an education increased women’s prospects both professionally and personally and in-turn made us better mothers, spouses, and citizens.”

However, 50 years following the passage of Title IX Pat remains eager to see more done to even the playing field and implement Title IX the way it was intended. “Title IX has never been fully implemented or enforced. Women in individual sports like Track and Field, Cross Country and Swimming have been used for a football offset counting game. As a result, it has lowered discipline and excellence in many schools.”

Pat highlighted the many contributions of her colleagues who started the Women’s Sports Foundation, Donna de Varona, Willye White, and Billie Jean King, among others in an effort to continue promoting the ideals and essence of Title IX. She noted that “Participation in scholastic sports is a privilege not a right.”