It is incredible how far women have come and women in sports

Jennie Finch, the champion of the diamond and a voice of courage, once said: “It is incredible how far women have come and women in sports have come.” These words, simple yet mighty, carry the weight of centuries. They are not merely a statement of progress, but a testament to endurance, to perseverance, to the unyielding march of those who refused to be silent. For history shows us that the path of women in all fields—especially in sports—was not given freely, but earned with sweat, with defiance, and with unshakable resolve.

The origin of this truth lies in the long shadows of the past, when women were barred from the fields, the courts, and the stadiums. In ancient Olympia, the games were reserved for men, while women could only watch from afar or face exile if they dared to step upon the sacred soil of competition. Yet even then, there were whispers of resistance. Legends tell of Callipateira, a woman who disguised herself as a trainer to see her son compete, risking punishment for the sake of sport and love. Such defiance planted the seed that, though it would take centuries to bloom, could never be extinguished.

When Finch marvels at how far women in sports have come, she honors not only her own journey but the struggles of countless others. Consider the tale of Billie Jean King, who stood in 1973 against Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes." Her victory was not simply a triumph in tennis, but a clarion call to the world: women could not only compete—they could excel. This moment shattered illusions and lifted countless spirits, echoing Finch’s truth that the road traveled is nothing short of incredible.

But Finch’s words also speak of the spirit beyond victory. For the progress of women is not only measured in trophies, medals, and championships. It is measured in access, in opportunity, in the breaking of chains that once denied them the right to play. It is measured in the young girl who now picks up a ball, a bat, or a racket, and sees not a locked gate but an open field. It is measured in the mother who cheers from the stands, knowing her daughter competes in arenas once closed. It is measured in the rising chorus of voices who no longer ask if women belong in sports, but celebrate the truth that they always have.

The emotional strength of this quote lies in its duality: it looks backward to the long journey, and forward to the endless horizon. Finch recognizes both the miracle of progress and the work yet unfinished. For though women in sports have come far, the path continues. Inequality still lingers, shadows of old prejudice still cast their shade. Yet progress, once begun, cannot be undone. The footsteps of women echo louder with every generation, until the sound becomes a roar that no one can deny.

The lesson for us is profound: honor the progress already made, but do not grow complacent. Let Finch’s words remind us that every stride forward is built on the courage of those before, and every step we take now will open doors for those who come after. To those who hear this teaching—support the women who strive, celebrate their victories, and defend their right to play. Let no dismissive word go unchallenged, for silence is the ally of oppression.

Practical action follows this wisdom: watch the games, attend the matches, buy the jerseys, lift the names of women athletes as proudly as you would men. Encourage the young girl who picks up her first glove, her first ball, her first pair of running shoes. Teach her not that she “may” belong, but that she always has. In doing so, you help fulfill the prophecy Finch has seen unfolding—that the rise of women in sports is not a temporary surge, but a permanent revolution.

Thus, Jennie Finch’s words ring with the voice of the ancients and the cry of the modern age alike. They remind us that progress is a sacred fire, carried from one hand to another, never to be extinguished. Women have indeed come far. Women in sports have come far. And because of their courage, the world is forever changed. May we never forget their struggle, nor their triumph, but continue to carry their flame into the future.