Women continue to make headway in male professional sports

In November last year, the Miami Marlins made big news by hiring Kim Ng as general manager, making her the first female to hold that position in Major League history.  Now the Boston Red Sox made a hiring that not only was a big step for women but also minority women in male professional sport with the hiring of Bianca Smith to be a minor league coach.

The 29-year-old Bianca Smith becomes the first black woman to coach baseball at the professional level. She previously was hitting coordinator and assistant coach at Carroll University in Wisconsin for the last two years. Her role in the Boston Red Sox organization will be mainly to work with position players in Fort Myers.

Prior to her time at Carroll University, Bianca Smith spent four years at Case Western Reserve University as director of baseball operations and was assistant coach for one year at the University of Dallas. Smith’s quite impressive resume also includes internships with both the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers. Clearly a big moment in her life, Smith indicated what amazing opportunity is to be part of the Boston Red Sox family and it really won’t completely sink in until she arrives at Fort Myers. She is also excited to be a role model for other women and minority women who are interested in baseball but never thought they would have a chance due to their gender.

Bianca Smith, Kim Ng, Becky Hammon in the NBA, seven female coaches and 15 female coach interns in the NFL, as well as Sarah Fuller kicking in a collegiate football game, women NBA referees, among others are all paving the way for women to pursue positions in sports that were once limited to men. While women players in men’s professional sports have not yet happened, at some point, don’t be surprised for a woman to break through.  It’s time to people to be recognized for their ability and not their gender.