Sports Equality for Women (SEW)

The Films

Women on Screen

As women have seen greater representation in sports (on the field, court, and beyond) their stories have begun to appear more regularly on the screen (both large and small). 

National Velvet – 1944

Starring Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney, the film follows 12 year-old Velvet Brown as she wins and trains a horse before secretly donning a jockey’s uniform and racing the horse herself. 

A League of Their Own – 1992

Starring Geena Davis and Tom Hanks, the film follows the story of Dottie Hinson and the other members of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League that rose up during World War II in the United States

Little Giants – 1994

Starring Rick Moranis and Ed O’Neill, the film tells the story of Danny O’Shea and his daughter, Becky, who start their own pee wee football team when no other team will let Becky play. 

Eddie – 1996

Starring Whoopi Goldberg and Frank Langella, the film tells the story of chauffeur Edwina “Eddie” Franklin, a dedicated New York Knicks fan, who finds herself being hired to coach the long-failing team. 

Bend it Like Beckham – 2002

Starring Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley, the film follows Jess Bhamra as she secretly joins a semi-pro soccer team in London and must hide her participation from her strict and traditional Indian parents. 

Million Dollar Baby – 2004

Starring Hilary Swank and Clint Eastwood, the film follows the trials of Maggie Fitgerald as she chases her dream of being a boxer and convinces Frank Dunn to train her.

Stick It – 2006 

Starring Missy Peregrym and Jeff Bridges, the film follows Haley who, after a run-in with the law, is sentenced to work with a strict gymnastics coach and turn her life around. 

Whip It – 2009

Starring Elliott Page and Drew Barrymore, the film follows Bliss Cavendar as she joins a small-town Texas roller-derby team, hiding her new pursuit from her beauty pageant obserssed mother.

 

Pitch – 2016

“Pitch” ran on Fox for one season and followed pitcher, Ginny Baker as she joins the San Diego Padres and becomes the first woman in Major League Baseball.

Battle of the Sexes – 2017

Starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell, the film follows the real-life story of Billie Jean King battling Bobby Riggs in tennis.

 

I, Tonya – 2017

Starring Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, the story follows the rise and fall of professional figure skater Tonya Harding.

 

Bruised – 2021

Starring (and directed by Halle Berry), the story follows a disgraced MMA fighter who finds redemption despite her demons.

King Richard – 2021

Starring Will Smith as the father of Venus and Serena Williams, Richard Williams, the story follows the legendary tennis players and how they grew as superstars with the coaching of their father.

A League of Their Own – 2022

Starring Abbi Jacobson, Chante Adams, and D’Arcy Carden, the series follows the All American Professional Baseball League during WWII.