All across the nation last month, NCAA member institutions and their communities joined in celebrating the 15th anniversary of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

There were sports clinics, awards banquets, speakers and panelists. There were essay contests, team-building activities, mother-daughter basketball games and educational presentations.

This year some communities also celebrated with clinics that taught everything from sea kayaking and rock climbing to snow boarding and rifle shooting. There were basketball games, gymnastics exhibitions, 5-K runs and even "Ice Hockey in Harlem," a program that introduces ice hockey to inner-city girls.

This year's theme was "No Stopping us Now!" and the national sponsors included the magazine "Sports Illustrated for Women" and Era detergent. Community sponsors all across the nation included universities, local sports committees, newspapers, radio stations, hospitals, ski resorts, online companies, sports equipment stores and a variety of other businesses.

It was a far cry from the event's humble beginnings.

Fifteen years ago, the Women's Sports Foundation organized the first official National Women in Sports Day ("girls" was added to the title a year later) in Washington, D.C. It was intended to remember and honor Flo Hyman, an Olympic volleyball standout who was a leader among athletes who worked for equality in sports. Congress established the day by joint resolution in 1986, and since then it has blossomed into a national event to remember and honor women's achievement in sports at all levels, to introduce girls and women to new sports and to provide encouragement for sports participation.

Five major organizations now coordinate the day nationwide: the Women's Sports Foundation, YWCA of the USA, Girls Incorporated, Girls Scouts of the USA and the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport.

The Women's Sports Foundation still presents an annual NGWSD celebration in Washington, D.C., where it presents its most prestigious honor, the Flo Hyman Memorial Award. Hyman died from Marfan Syndrome in 1986.This year's winner was WNBA star Lisa Leslie, who played her college ball at the University of Southern California.

"I'm honored and awed to be among the athletes to receive this award," Leslie said. "Many were my heroes. And like them, I look forward to continuing to be a role model for young girls and to inspire them to go on and excel in the sport of their choice."

When asked why she believed the celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day was important, Leslie had this to say:

"Because (women and girls) are just as much a part of this world as the men. It is important for young girls to have role models in sport. I think celebrating this holiday nationally will give girls exposure to role models and make them feel good about playing."

Previous winners of the Flo Hyman Memorial Award are: Monica Seles (2000), Bonnie Blair (1999), Nadia Comaneci (1998), Billie Jean King (1997), Mary Lou Retton (1995), Lynette Woodard (1993) and Martina Navratilova (1987).

The award was presented February 7 at a luncheon in Washington, where 21 champion athletes gathered with members of Congress to celebrate the strides women have made in sports.

"Times have changed since our first celebration in 1987," said tennis legend and Women's Sports Foundation founder Billie Jean King, one of the speakers at the Washington event. "Girls' participation in sports has grown by 84 percent, and now, 40 percent of all NCAA athletes are women."

Olympic champion swimmer Donna de Varona also spoke, cautioning that advances could be threatened by any erosion of Title IX -- the federal law prohibiting colleges and high schools that receive federal funds from discriminating on the basis of gender.

"Freedom isn't free, and opportunities come at a price," de Varona said. "So we have to come to Washington and fight for them. It's about women having the opportunity to pursue their dreams to become astronauts, engineers and, yes, professional athletes."

The athletes present for the event in Washington, which included Leslie as well as diver Mary Ellen Clark, gymnast Dominique Dawes and soccer player Julie Foudy, among others, also visited more than 70 congressional offices to encourage political support of Title IX and girls and women's participation in sports.

"Athletes here today have proven that women do lead the way," said Rep. Connie Morella, R-Maryland. "I have seen, through young women in schools, self-confidence, scholastic aptitude, team work and discipline. It has all come together, and it's benefiting our communities."

For more information about the programs in your state, or to see how you can receive a community action kit to participate next year, see www.NGWSDCentral.com .