Designates February 4th of each year as "Women and Girls in Sports Day" in New Jersey.

AJR136

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 136

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates February 4th of each year as �Women and
Girls in Sports Day� in New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
designating February 4th of each
year as �Women and Girls in Sports Day� in New Jersey.

Whereas,

Sport and physical activity play critical roles in the lives of all people and
are essential for good physical and emotional health; and

Whereas,

Opportunities in sports were traditionally open to men only, however the 20th
and 21st centuries saw women and girls strive to increasingly participate in
sports despite societal obstacles; and

Whereas,

Gender disparities continue to exist in sports and less prize money,
sponsorships, facilities, equipment, and athletic opportunities are allocated
for women�s and girls� sports; and

Whereas,

Sports are essential to teaching girls important life skills that advance
gender equality, such as confidence, resilience, initiative, self-reliance,
self-discipline, leadership, and teamwork; and

Whereas,

Physical activity is key to the development of healthy bodies and minds, and
sports encourage women and girls to become and remain physically active; and

Whereas,

Women�s sports have produced successful and inspiring athletes, such as New
Jersey natives Carli Lloyd and Laurie Hernandez, who serve as important role
models to fans of all ages and genders; and

Whereas,

The considerable achievements of women and girls in sports deserve recognition
and women�s fight against gender inequality deserves awareness; and�

Whereas,

February 4th is nationally recognized as �National Girls and Women in Sports
Day�; and

Whereas,

The State of New Jersey should recognize women�s and girls� contributions to
sports, further encourage women and girls to participate in sports and physical
activity, and promote gender equality by designating February 4th as �Women and
Girls in Sports Day� in New Jersey; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� February 4th of each
year is designated as �Women and Girls in Sports Day� in the State of New
Jersey to recognize and celebrate women�s and girls� contributions to sports.�

���� 2.��� The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing February
4th as �Women and Girls in Sports Day� in New Jersey, and call upon public
officials and citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate
activities and programs.

���� 3.��� This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates February 4th of each year as �Women and Girls in Sports Day� in New
Jersey. Opportunities in sports were traditionally only open to men, and women
were discouraged from taking an interest in, or participating in, athletics.�
In the 20th and 21st centuries, women and girls increasingly strove to
participate in sports. However, gender disparities in sports still remain, with
less support and resources available for women�s sports programs, in comparison
with men�s sports. This lack of investment has contributed to gender pay
disparities for female athletes and the unequal allocation of facilities and
equipment for women�s and girls� sports. Despite these inequities, inspiring
female athletes, such as New Jersey natives Carli Lloyd and Laurie Hernandez,
have made significant contributions to sports and have served as excellent role
models for fans of all ages and genders. Women and girls deserve recognition
for their contributions to sports and public awareness of their fight for
gender equality in athletics.

���� It should be further
acknowledged that sports are essential in the lives of girls, since
participation in sports teaches important life skills that empower girls to
stand up against gender inequities, both in sports and in daily life.�
Participation in sports, moreover, encourages women and girls to become and
remain physically active, which is essential to achieving and maintaining good
physical and mental health throughout life.��