Patricia Bostrom is considered the greatest women’s tennis player in University of Washington history, but it’s her role as a pioneer for gender equality in college sports that she is most proud of and for which she is often remembered.
Bostrom won a Pac-8 title and a national mixed college doubles title as a Husky, then battled UW (and won) over the inequality in the men’s and women’s tennis programs.
International Women’s Day is Friday, and offers a chance to reflect on the continued movement for women’s rights. Thanks to the efforts of Bostrom and other Title IX pioneers, women’s collegiate athletics have changed dramatically since her days at Washington.