Gender inequality has existed in sports for many years. However, females have proven to be successful in different athletic opportunities given to them. Last year, Mill Valley’s girls basketball team placed second in state, and the softball team were regional champions. Despite this success for female athletes at the high school level, athletic departments still feel the need to use “lady” to describe their girls sports teams.

The word “lady” indicates a 1960s woman working in the kitchen while her male counterpart plays “real” basketball. With each “lady” that is put in front of a Mill Valley Jaguar logo, it starts to feel more like a reminder. Some may say it simply indicates these people playing are simply female. But maybe the name indicates to the audience to wait until the males begin playing, because they are in fact the “real” jaguars. That might explain the scarcity of a crowd throughout the first quarters of a varsity girls basketball game.

“Lady” could also indicate a special category specifically for the women of the school. It seems pretty easy to deduce which gender is playing on the court or in the field. Is “Lady Jags” even necessary on uniforms? It seems disrespectful to the girls who are trying their hardest on the court to represent all students, boys and girls.

Changing how female sports teams are treated in high school can be done with a few easy steps. First, eliminate the use of “lady” to describe the girls teams. These athletes are true “Jaguars” without any need for cute nicknames. Second, come give support to the female sports teams. Supporting all athletes representing Mill Valley will go a long way to changing attitudes.