Posted with permission, article and pictures, courtesy of University of Hawaii Manoa

In 1972, the key contributions of Hawai‘i’s own congresswoman Patsy Mink led to the passing of Title IX law, requiring equal opportunities for men and women at all academic institutions across the nation. Fifty years later, we celebrate the impact of Title IX on University of Hawai‘i Athletics, as a generation of achievements by women collegiate athletes have helped to shape an impressive legacy here in the 50th state.  

Within the first decade of the passing of Title IX, UH’s first female athletics director Dr. Donnis Thompson established the women’s program, which consisted of seven women’s sports. Among them was the national powerhouse Rainbow Wahine volleyball team that earned the university’s first national title at the 1979 AIAW Championship. Dr. Thompson stated, “Women’s athletics would always be an outstanding diamond in our whole program. But it was a matter of convincing a lot of people that the dream could be a reality.” Today, Hawai‘i Athletics is home to 12 women’s sports, supported with over 50 female staff members.

From outstanding legacies and established legends, the accomplished women who represent Hawai‘i Athletics continue to blaze a path for generations to come.