The Sacramento Monarchs join thousands if not millions around the country in celebrating National Girls and Women's Sports Day (NGWSD) on Wednesday, February 5, 2003. This annual day is dedicated to the positive influence of sports and fitness participation and celebrates the female athlete, both young and old. Established in 1987, five major organizations including the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, Girls Inc., Girls Scouts of the USA, YWCA and Women's Sports Foundation have hosted national events commemorating the success and challenges facing the female athlete.

Sacramento Monarchs player Edna Campbell joined San Jose CyberRays player LaKeysia Beene, Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson and other state representatives to tip-off "Girls and Women in Sports Week in California." The resolution was passed on the California Assembly Floor by unanimous vote. Edna Campbell who attended both the morning press conference and resolution vote, received a standing ovation from California's Assembly members when acknowledged on the floor.

This year's NGWSD theme, "Succeed in Sports, Lead in Life" highlights the strong influence sports has on girls to succeed both on and off the playing field. Here are just a few facts of why sports has become so important in the lives of America's girls:

Before Title IX was passed in 1972, only one out of 27 girls participated in sports. Today, one out of 2.5 girls play organized athletics.

Basketball leads the way as the most popular high school sport for girls. 41 percent of all teenage girls played basketball in 1999.

Girls and women who play sports have higher levels of confidence and self esteem and lower levels of depression.

Female student athletes graduate at significantly higher rates (68 percent) than female student nonathletes (59%).

Girls who participate in sports are 92 percent less likely to use drugs, 80 percent less likely to get pregnant and three times more likely to graduate.

Eighty percent of women identified as key leaders in Fortune 500 participated in sports as youth. More than four out of five executive businesswomen played sports growing up.

Sport provides the skills of teamwork, goal-setting, the pursuit of excellence in performance and other achievement-oriented behaviors -- critical skills necessary for success in the workplace.