Archery for Women Mentor: Geena Davis

A sport to practice in the back yard! Ask Geena Davis, the award winning actress, mentor, and mother - whose talent (and six foot height) have made her easily recognizable on-screen to movie and television fans alike.

Coaches, mentors, and practice, along with her own competitive streak - moved her forward, and closer to the selection of the team for the 2000 Summer Olympics. Did she earn a medal in those games? No, Ms. Davis became a semi-finalist - competing for a spot on the Olympic team, consisting of 16 members. Others made the U.S. Olympic Archery Team and the right to compete at the games in Sydney. In the two to three years after she began practicing, and right up until her ranking as semi-finalist, Davis made amazing progress with her efforts!

Ms. Davis is working to help young women and others - to accomplish their own goals in sports. After becoming a semi-finalist for the team, the fortyish lady went on to more movie, and television roles and gave birth to three children. She promotes women in sports, and otherwise helps encourage girls, and women to participate, and often succeed in areas where 'boys' often dominate the sporting world. Ms. Davis' websites are worthy of visiting: http://SeeJane.org, http://Geenatakesaim.org, and http://womenssportsfoundation.org.

Archery should be viewed as more than an event for viewing during the Olympics? We're talking about girls learning to interract with their peers, being active in sports, and eventually leading others, while mentoring younger participants. More coaches are needed in women's sports, as well as participants. As Ms. Davis has pointed out in the past, with quality coaches and talented team members, the spectators will show up! Spectators are themselves participants, indeed!

Oh, you many not have caught the part about practicing that skill near the back door. Twenty feet away - may not sound like a challenge with a bow and arrow. It's not only worthwhile, but takes practice to hit the mark! Archery (or bow hunting sports) shouldn't be viewed as 'buff' or 'rough and tough' or only for 'tomboy' gals. Your choice of a sport for active involvement, spectating, or even coaching is up to you!

Women sports writers like Lynne Frady enjoy sharing their experiences, or giving advice when they're not participating in, or watching the calendar for 'hunting' season to begin. Talk about people doing things that they are passionate about! Here's a short list of women that are involved in archery, or other hunting sports: Michele Leqve, Sheila Ogle, Myra Smith, Osa Johnson, Sue Tabor, and Cynthia Vannoy. Articles by or about some of those women can be found on the websites listed, below.

For more about Lynne Frady, and other women involved in archery, visit the following websites: http://realtree.com, http://womenhunters.com, and http://usarchery.org.

At left, Lynne Frady is posing with her 'trophy' wild boar.