Former WNBA star: Cummer Museum's new exhibit a women’s history lesson for all to enjoy
In 1968, Philip Morris launched the “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby” ad campaign introducing Virginia Slims to the marketplace. The series of TV ads celebrated women’s progress during the 20th century, from being unable to vote to being liberated working women in the space of a few decades.
What many people don’t know is that Virginia Slims was a pioneer in supporting women in sports and equitable pay for female athletes. That it was a tobacco product is a paradox, but nonetheless.
While recently touring the new exhibition “Sporting Fashion: Outdoor Girls 1800 to 1960” at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, the catchy tune from that campaign came to mind. We have come a long way, indeed, and the collection of more than 60 ensembles tells us so much about how the world felt about women.
Neoprene and spandex were clearly not readily accessible. Yet the beauty of the fabrics and the designs share so much about the culture of the times they were created.
As I strolled through the galleries, I took note of the different adaptations women made to their garments, wondering at the lengths of fabric (and expectations) they had to overcome just to compete. It was a reminder of the boundaries we have broken to get to where we are today.
As a former professional basketball player, I am one of many proud pioneers building on the foundation laid by the women before me. Like them, I too hope to provide a better way for future generations. Today women’s sports — across the board — are meeting their moment, and this exhibition helps us both celebrate this moment while inspiring the energy to propel it forward.
There's a growing momentum around the power, possibilities and growth of women to own an equitable, recognized place in the sports world. More broadly, it’s a long time in coming. What an advantage it bodes for our women and for all of us.
It is my belief that all people benefit when both our sons and daughters have access to the tools, training, exposure and impact that the world of sports provides in building community. It has been proven that participation in sports is game-changing on and off the fields of play by promoting teamwork and bridging social divisions to instilling values of leadership and inclusion. Life is a team sport.
On April 5, Generation W, a nonprofit whose mission is to elevate the human spirit by advancing women and girls to inspire action, connection and community, will host its annual women’s leadership event in Jacksonville. People will come from all over the country to experience and explore this year’s theme, BELIEVE.
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The program will feature renowned experts and dynamic speakers exploring the foundational beliefs and mindsets we need to move forward professionally and personally. I invite you to come to the University of North Florida to be inspired by this experience. I also encourage you to visit the Cummer Museum to see personally our journey through “Sporting Fashion: Outdoor Girls 1800 to 1960.”
It is a gift that the Cummer Museum brought this exhibition to our city and speaks volumes about the thoughtfulness and inclusive nature of the museum’s outlook and outreach to the community. Jacksonville is the final venue of its national tour, and "Sporting Fashion” is on view until May 19; but don’t wait to see it.
It’s more than a fashion show — it's creative and fun and is for everybody who wants to celebrate women and women in sports, while reminding us of where we've been, how far we've come and the exciting momentum that is moving us forward.
Donna Orender, founder and CEO, Orender Unlimited and Generation W, Jacksonville Beach
This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: ‘Sporting Fashion’ exhibit shows women's progress in sports, society
