The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), founded back in 1971 and established to help govern women’s college competitions across the nation as well as organize national championships. The AIAW was thought to be one of the biggest advancements in women’s athletics at the collegiate level. This association was similar to what the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) had been doing for men’s programs since 1906.

The passage of the suffrage amendment in 1920 raised American women’s aspirations, but it also unleashed a powerful backlash among conservatives. In the United States, this conflict played out strikingly in the world of women’s track: after gaining the right to compete in the 1928 Olympics, American women suddenly found themselves banned for 30 years from all track events except the sprints.

This year marks the 120th anniversary of the United States hosting the Olympic Games, making it the first time the Games have been hosted outside of Europe. The 1904 Olympics was not only the first time the United States hosted the Games, but it was also the first time a Black American won an Olympic medal.