Iowa State University Athletics
ISU Celebrates National Girls and Women In Sports Day
02.17.2025 | Athletics
AMES, Iowa - Iowa State University female student-athletes celebrated the National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Monday, February 10, as part of the inaugural Celebration of Cyclone Women in Athletics event. The special occasion honored the past, present and future of student-athletes and its community.
With more than 100 in attendance, the nearly 70 current female student-athletes had the opportunity to build community and foster personal and professional growth as they networked with athletics staff, former student-athletes, campus community members and local supporters.
In addition to networking and engaging in table activities, attendees gained valuable insights from a panel featuring former Cyclone student-athletes and professionals from Deloitte.
Panelists included former women's basketball player and current professional player Ashley Joens; former women's basketball player and current Senior Director of Operations and Compliance for Camber Children's Mental Health, Brynn (Williamson) Fowler; and former women's soccer player and current Sports Field Manager at CPKC Stadium, Mira Emma. From Deloitte, the panelists were former student-athlete and current Tax Manager, Elsa Saemrow, and former student-athlete and current Audit Senior, Heather Hoeger.
The event was a resounding success, reflecting the strength and unity of the Cyclone community. It not only celebrated the remarkable achievements of Iowa State female student-athletes but also inspired the next generation to continue striving for excellence on and off the field.
"The event truly encapsulated Iowa State's culture of character in a group of women that have all fostered that culture in their respective sport and life," women's cross country and track and field athlete and SAAC President Riley Beach said. "It was so exciting to see the success of former female athletes have had in their lives, and how their love for Iowa State has continued beyond their four years. It was empowering for each current athlete sitting there to know we are being well prepared for the real world, and we will always have a system of women to support each one of us in our journeys at Iowa State and beyond."
Women's track and field athlete and SAAC President-Elect Katie Strotman echoed the sentiment.
"The Celebration of Cyclone Women in Athletics was incredible. It was amazing to see the networking between the women in their respective fields, you really felt a sense of community," Strotman said. "The panelists did a great job of providing honest and encouraging advice to the younger female athletes in the room. I talked with many attendees after the event and they all had one thing in common, they loved the event and would like to see this happen again next year!"
***
The History of NGWSD - www.womenssportsfoundation.org/get-involved/ngwsd/about-ngwsd/
National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) began in 1987 as a special day in our nation's capital to recognize women's sports. The day united premiere organizations and elite women athletes to bring national attention to the promise of girls and women in sports.
In the beginning, NGWSD served as a remembrance of Olympic volleyball player, Flo Hyman, for her athletic achievements and dedication to promoting equality for women's sports; Hyman died of Marfan's Syndrome in 1986. NGWSD has since evolved into an event to acknowledge the accomplishments of girls and women in sports, the positive influence of sports participation and the continuing struggle for equality for women in sports.
NGWSD is a national day co-founded and powered by the Women's Sports Foundation and supported by its team of champion athletes. Annually, schools and community-serving organizations host over 300 grassroots events across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. with an estimated reach of 200,000 girls and women. Women's Sports Foundation.
