Emily Hamilton, a producer-reporter at OPB and lifelong resident of the Portland area, reflects on the significant role of women's sports in the city's history and her personal life. Hamilton emphasizes the importance of understanding Portland as a global epicenter for women's sports, particularly with the return of the WNBA team, the Fire.
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Growing up just outside of Portland, Hamilton participated in various sports including soccer, basketball, track, and cross country. Her family's involvement in athletics fostered a deep connection to sports, helping her build confidence and resilience.
Hamilton expresses excitement upon discovering the extensive history of women's sports in Portland, which dates back to 1937 when Dorothea Lensch became Director of Recreation, advocating for sports opportunities for girls and women. The pride of the city surged with the Florists, a championship softball team that played from 1938 for nearly 30 years.
By the 1970s, the Lavender Menace emerged as one of the first openly gay softball teams in the United States. In the following decades, the University of Portland women’s soccer team achieved national championships and set NCAA attendance records. The establishment of the Thorns and the Rose City Riveters in 2013 further transformed the perception of women’s sports on a global scale.
Hamilton acknowledges that the current landscape of women's sports may not have developed without the contributions of Portlanders who paved the way, allowing her and others the chance to engage in athletics. She underscores the value of remembering and celebrating this rich history.