Jen Pawol will make history as the first woman to umpire a Major League Baseball game, joining a list of women who have broken barriers in sports officiating across various leagues, including NFL, NBA, NCAA, and international soccer, showcasing the ongoing progress of women in traditionally male-dominated roles.
Lexi Thompson, a professional golfer, has accepted a sponsor invitation to play in the PGA Tour's Shriners Children's Open, becoming the seventh woman ever to compete against men on the tour. Thompson, known for her historic achievements in women's golf, expressed hope that her participation would inspire young women to pursue their dreams. The last woman to play a PGA Tour event was Brittany Lincicome in 2018, and Thompson joins a small group of women who have broken barriers in professional golf.
Haley Van Voorhis, a safety at Division-III Shenandoah University, made history as the first woman non-kicker to play in an NCAA football game. Van Voorhis, a 5-foot-6, 145-pound junior, registered a quarterback hurry during the game. She had previously played on the junior varsity team for two seasons and is also a member of Shenandoah's track and field team. While several women have played kicking positions in college football, Van Voorhis is the first non-kicker to participate in a game.