Breaking Boundaries: Meet MLB’s First Female Umpire and Other Trailblazing Women in Sports Officiating

This weekend, Jen Pawol is set to make history as the first woman to umpire a Major League Baseball game. She will officiate the series between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. Jen, 48, from New Jersey, has spent the last two years working spring training games and four years in the minor leagues.

Jen isn’t alone in breaking barriers. Many women have made significant strides in officiating across various sports. For example, Shannon Eastin became the first female official in NFL history in August 2012. She officiated a preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Diego Chargers. A month later, she became the first woman to work a regular-season NFL game.

In 2015, Sarah Thomas made history as the first woman to be hired for a full season in the NFL. She also became the first female official to work a Super Bowl in 2021, officiating the game where Tom Brady’s Buccaneers triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs.

In basketball, Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner made headlines as the first female officials in the NBA in 1997. Palmer debuted on October 31 of that year, and Kantner followed shortly after. Both have paved the way for future female officials in the league, although Palmer retired in 2016. Kantner continues to officiate women’s college basketball.

While the NHL has yet to have a female official for a regular-season game, momentum is building. In 2019, the league selected four female officials to work at pre-training camp prospect tournaments, marking a step forward for women in hockey officiating. Recently, the league has begun refering to “linesmen” as “linespersons,” signifying notable progress.

Internationally, Stéphanie Frappart made history in December 2022 by becoming the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup match, officiating a game between Germany and Costa Rica. She was assisted by two female linespersons, showcasing a strong presence of women at the highest levels of sports.

Today, women continue to break through barriers in sports officiating. The visibility of these trailblazers encourages young girls to aspire to careers in sports and officiating, fostering a more inclusive environment. With each new milestone, these women not only inspire but redefine the landscape of sports for future generations.

For more information on gender equality in sports, you can refer to the Women’s Sports Foundation.

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