MIES (Switzerland) – The FIBA Foundation unveiled "Through Their Eyes: Stories of Women Who Shaped Basketball" at the FIBA Women in Basketball Forum in Berlin. This oral history project chronicles over 70 years of women's basketball through in-depth interviews with 12 pioneering figures, including 9 FIBA Hall of Famers. Their careers span from the inaugural FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in 1953 to the present.
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The featured interviewees are:
- Carol Callan (USA)
- Jacky Chazalon (France)
- Claudine Clot-Ducommun (Switzerland)
- Teresa Edwards (USA)
- Natália Hejková (Czechoslovakia/Slovakia)
- Tom Maher (Australia)
- Mame Maty Mbengue (Senegal)
- Shin-Ja Park (Korea)
- Laura Pina (Chile)
- Maria Planas (Spain)
- Uljana Semjonova (Latvia/USSR)
- Maria “Magic Paula” Silva (Brazil)
The report conveys the experiences of these basketball legends and how they contributed to the game's development across generations and cultures. It also reflects on the role of basketball in shaping identities, inspiring future leaders, and building friendships and rivalries. Notably, it preserves one of the last recorded testimonies of Uljana Semjonova, emphasizing the importance of documenting such stories for future awareness.
This publication is part of a broader initiative by the FIBA Foundation aimed at celebrating and preserving women’s basketball. This initiative also includes a graphic novel titled "La Valise d'Éliane", a documentary called "The World on Our Shoulders", and a traveling exhibition on women in basketball. Together, these projects aim to illuminate the history of women's basketball and its impact on society.
Through this report, the FIBA Foundation affirms its dedication to safeguarding basketball's cultural heritage and ensuring that the contributions of women in the sport are recognized. More than a historical account, the report seeks to inspire educators, researchers, players, and future generations about basketball's potential to promote social change.
Theren Bullock Jr., Head of the FIBA Foundation, stated, "Through Their Eyes: Stories of Women Who Shaped Basketball preserves and promotes the stories of legends who helped shape the game, safeguarding an important part of our sport’s cultural heritage while inspiring future generations through their experiences, leadership, and lasting contributions to the game."
Readers can explore the "Women in Basketball hub" for further materials related to this project, which will expand to include additional archival resources in the coming months. The full report offers detailed analysis, while an executive summary provides a more accessible introduction for sharing within various networks.