During this community lunch hour, we celebrated Portage County women in athletics and our community’s rich history of women in sports. Women’s Fund Director Sarah Ross led discussions with Sheila Miech, former UWSP women’s soccer coach and the first woman inducted into the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame, about her experiences as a trailblazer. Sue Koehl, a Title IX and Community Volunteer, and John Harry, Executive Director of the Portage County Historical Society, shared how they captured the history of women athletes and how the community can learn more through the exhibit and recently released book.
Sheila Miech shared her journey as a lifelong athlete and coach, recounting her early years in sports, her role as a mentor, and her historic induction into the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame. Sue Koehl provided an overview of Title IX legislation, highlighting its effects on women’s sports since its passage in 1972. John Harry discussed the ongoing exhibit at Heritage Park, “We Just Wanted to Play,” which captures the history of women athletes in Portage County. The exhibit includes stories, artifacts, and a recently released book detailing these achievements. The stories from this exhibit are preserved through oral histories and virtual experiences, ensuring that the legacy of women’s athletics in Portage County will continue to inspire future generations.
We encourage you to keep the momentum by taking action:
- VISIT and experience the history of women’s athletics at Heritage Park. The exhibit is open Fridays (12-4 PM) and Saturdays (10 AM-2 PM) through Labor Day.
- PURCHASE the book, “We Just Wanted to Play” is available at the Heritage Park gift shop during the aforementioned hours.
- EXPLORE the personal stories of trailblazing women athletes through the exhibit’s oral histories.
- REVISIT the conversation with the video recording.
- SHARE this blog post your network.
- ATTEND our next Community Lunch Hour. You can register for the interactive workshop on the Essentials of Data Storytelling.