February 5, 2020, marks the 34th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). This celebration inspires girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power, and to gain the confidence, strength and character to become leaders in sports, and in life. Manhattan College has a long tradition of women's athletics, from our first female varsity team in 1978 to our Jaspers of today. Not only do these young women excel in competition, they are also campus leaders and role models for the next generation of student-athletes.
Last semester, women's soccer junior Gemma Perez took the opportunity of a class project to photograph her fellow female student-athletes of color. The resulting collection is a beautiful representation of the diverse, smart, and strong female athletes we have at Manhattan. This NGWSD, GoJaspers.com sat down with Gemma to discuss her inspiration for this project, and what it means to her to be a female athlete.
What first gave you the idea for this project?
My Dad actually gave me the inspiration for this project. He is a photographer, so I was pitching some of my ideas to him, and he suggested that I take on something that involves race and gender. I took that and ran with it!
What did you learn about your fellow female student-athletes of color through the process?
The whole process of contacting, meeting and eventually photographing my fellow female student-athletes of color was one of the best projects I was a part of, and continue to be a part of. The most important thing I learned about my fellow female student-athletes of color was that they made me feel like I wasn't alone. We shared our stories and struggles all leading to the celebration of what it means to be a female student-athlete of color.
Who were your female athlete role models growing up and why were they important to you?
The female athletes who I looked up to when I was growing up, and who I still consider to be my role models, would be Brandi Chastain, Marta, Serena Williams, Candice Parker, my mother of course, and my Tita (Aunt) Nicole. These women were (and are) VERY important to me, especially at a very young age, because they gave me something to work for. If I could see them on TV and sometimes, if I was lucky enough, in person, I believed I could play at a high-level, as well. I'm extremely grateful that I had legends like these women growing up, because they also taught me how to be fearless, not only within my sport, but within every aspect of my life.
Why is it important to celebrate girls and women in sports?
Women's sports is in a great place at the moment, and I think it's extremely important we celebrate this achievement. However, although we have come a long way, we still have a long road ahead of us. That is why inspiring the next generation of girls to continue what the amazing female athletes before us have started is so important.
What does being a female athlete mean to you?
Being a female athlete of color has allowed me to gain a greater appreciation for my culture, as well as sharing it with others. It's important to celebrate being a woman of color along with being an athlete. Women are the epitome of strength, and I am honored to be a symbol of that strength as an athlete.
See more of Gemma's photos and quotes from her fellow student-athletes on our Twitter and Instagram.
Gallery: (2/4/2020) 2020 Girls and Women in Sports Day
