To the editor:

As a baby boomer, having grown up without the benefits of Title IX, i.e., no school sports for girls/women (no soccer, no tennis, no basketball, no volleyball, no softball, no bowling, no track), I want to express to you that many women of my generation are still interested in women’s firsts in athletics, and some of us actually read the sports section of your newspaper.

It is my guess that Abby Vestal, the first full-time female professional player in the American Professional Football League, doesn’t even realize the importance of what she’s accomplished, but I and some others do.

It is significant that Abby signed a contract, as a high school senior, with Topeka’s Kansas Koyotes, an indoor professional football team willing to break the gender barrier. Abby made her professional debut last Saturday, making 3 of 4 extra point attempts (while the kicker for the opposing team, a man, missed both of his attempts).

I have had the privilege of watching Abby develop as an athlete from the age of 5 when she and my daughter played on the same soccer team. Even at that age, it was clear that Abby was special in terms of her athletic ability and drive.

Abby has worked hard and achieved much, both for herself and for female athletes! She deserves more from her hometown media than a three-paragraph article buried in the interior of the sports section of the Lawrence Journal-World about making it into professional football. She deserves serious coverage from our local media as well as our support. Shame on you, Journal-World!

Abby, you go girl!

Connie Adams, Lawrence