Tigers, Red Wings honoring women in March

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings are honored to celebrate the distinguished achievements of women leaders across the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan throughout Women’s History Month.

March is Women's History Month -- commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Throughout the month, Tigers and Red Wings content and programming will document these stories, both on and off the baseball diamond and the ice.

“This month, and every month, our organization is proud to honor the incredible achievements of women in our great city and across the state of Michigan,” said Emily Neenan, Chief Marketing Officer for the Tigers, Red Wings and The District Detroit. “The influence of women throughout Tigers and Red Wings history is inspiring, and we’re privileged to document those stories.”

The Detroit Tigers led off Women’s History Month by featuring Georgia Giblin, the club’s Director of Performance Science, in a weekly video series, found across Tigers social media channels, titled Her Roots. Our Roots. Detroit Roots. The series will feature trailblazing women in Tigers baseball history, including Minnie Forbes, the former owner of the Detroit Stars, head groundskeeper Heather Nabozny and Maggie O’Hara, the Tigers’ Senior Analyst of Baseball Operations.

The In Her Cleats. In Her Shoes. social media content series -- presented by Comerica Bank -- is in partnership with the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, and will recognize legendary women in sports, and the impact they have made on the state of Michigan. Honorees will include legendary Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins, Pam McGee, a Flint native who won a gold medal with USA Women’s Basketball in the 1984 Olympic Games, and Mary Schroeder, the first photographer and first female member of the media to enter the MSHOF, who captured the iconic photo of Tigers legend Kirk Gibson in Game 5 of the 1984 World Series.

The Red Wings’ Women’s History Month efforts not only leverage the year-round Hockey is for Everyone platform that celebrates and elevates under-represented audiences in hockey, but also spotlights unique initiatives and stories of girls and women making a difference in our community,

The “Game Changers” editorial series, presented by Comerica Bank, will continue throughout the month of March after debuting in February to celebrate Black History Month. This month, the Red Wings will honor Amy Good, the CEO for Alternative Girls; Pamela Good, the Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Basics; Manon Rhéaume, the first woman to play in any of the major North American pro sports leagues and Little Caesars AAA Hockey Girls Program Coordinator; and Courtney Ebonique Smith, the CEO and Founder of Detroit Phoenix Center.

Each Game Changers honoree’s story will be featured on DetroitRedWings.com and on the club’s social media channels, and be celebrated at a home game at Little Caesars Arena at the end of March, where they will be awarded a $1,000 grant dedicated to the charity of their choice and presented with a Game Changers jersey and commemorative award. The honorees will also be invited to participate in a virtual panel discussion during an episode of _The Word on Woodward_, focused on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Iconic women of Michigan hockey will also be honored through a month-long video content series, including Marguerite Norris, the former owner of the Red Wings and the first woman’s name to be featured on the Stanley Cup; Manon Rhéaume, a former Olympic silver medalist and the first woman to play in any of the major North American pro sports leagues; Colleen Howe, the wife of Gordie Howe who also served as a groundbreaking sports agent; and Megan Keller, a Farmington Hills native that is a member of Team USA Hockey.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Youth Skater of the Game, recognized virtually during the 2020-21 season, will celebrate a local girls’ youth hockey player for each home game during the month of March. The Youth Skater of the Game will have a chance to watch Red Wings players up close and personal during warmups prior to each game from the comfort of their home through a unique, telepresence experience located in the bench area.

Both the Tigers and Red Wings are spotlighting women graphic designers, artists and photographers from Michigan that will have their unique designs featured on the club’s social channels for #WallpaperWednesday throughout the month of March. The Equality pages on Tigers.com and DetroitRedWings.com will also feature content celebrating the influential achievements of local women and throughout the history of both franchises.

To celebrate International Women’s Day this past Monday, the Tigers, Red Wings and The District Detroit colleagues participated in the #ChoosetoChallenge campaign.