Excellence, fortitude, determination - many more words can be used to describe the SIU women's swimming and diving team, but none are more deserving. In capturing a fifth consecutive Missouri Valley Conference championship last week - its seventh title in eight years - the women's team has demonstrated the very best of what the University has to offer in terms of athletics.
Despite the relative weakness of the conference, the women's team is deserving of the "dynasty" moniker. We applaud each outstanding player for her hard work and sacrifice. The long hours of practice and extra time spent in the new swimming facility definitely paid off in the end. We also congratulate SIU women's head coach Jeff Goelz for guiding his team to another title.
This achievement should not go unnoticed to the non-sports fan or those with no interest in swimming. Incidentally, the Daily Egyptian has not overlooked the accomplishments of the SIU men's basketball team in capturing the Missouri Valley Conference title or the men's swimming team, which was also champion once again, both deserving of their honors.
Yet, we must acknowledge how far women's athletics have come, particularly at the college level. Women have climbed out of men's shadows, and in fact, have taken a giant leap over their male counterparts. Women's college basketball is as popular as ever. Women's volleyball is no longer seen as a novelty. At the professional level, women have arguably carried the tennis game for the last three or four years.
The Lady Salukis' success is one more piece of that puzzle. And a sixth title next year will be that much sweeter. For right now, congratulations for another outstanding year.
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headline: Women's History Month a time for reflection
Women's History Month is before us once again. This is a time for everyone - men and women - to acknowledge the accomplishments women have made to society. By exploring women's history, we learn to better appreciate their existence today. Vice versa, much of what we admire about today's woman is inextricably linked to her past.
As we have noted in applauding the Lady Salukis swimming and diving team, their success is part of a legacy. A legacy that began with women demanding the right to vote and wanting the same rights as men. Women who looked to break the shackles of domestic servitude as they searched for fulfillment outside of the home and in the workplace.
Not that domestic life is unfulfilling, but women were too often seen and kept in the roles of housewife and mother. Those are two important roles, but women are more than that, much more. The month of March will entail numerous events commemorating Women's History Month, many of which will take place on the SIUC campus.
We encourage all to partake in as many events as possible. If the Daily Egyptian's coverage of Black History Month has shown anything, it is that our society is not as progressive as we would like to think. Racism, prejudice and discrimination all still exist. And sexism as well.
Until women earn the same wages for the doing the same job as men, are no longer the prey for male predators prone to violence and are seen for their inner as well as their outer beauty, we can never assert that our society is truly fair and equal, be it to women or any other minority. These issues plague today's society. As we proceed through Women's History Month, let us all find inspiration from the past in order to improve the present.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
