National Girls & Women in Sports Day is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of February. This day is dedicated to recognizing female athletic achievements and promoting opportunities for girls in sports.

Today, the NMU Athletics Department is celebrating girls and women, both past and present, to honor the achievements of women in sports, acknowledge the impact of sports participation, and advocate for equality and inclusion for girls in athletics.

MARQUETTE, Mich. – Beverly Harper has built a collegiate career defined by resilience, determination, and purpose. 

Whether on the cross country course or the track, she has continually pushed herself to improve, setting school records and earning All-GLIAC honors along the way. But for Harper, success is about more than times and finishes — it's about growth, leadership, and using her platform to represent women in sport at every level.

Harper hails from Richland Center, Wisconsin, and has been a steady force for Northern both on the cross country course and on the track. Her name can be found throughout several events in NMU's top-10 record book, and she is a two-time All-GLIAC honoree who was a part of the Distance Medley Relay school record (11:49.87) in 2024.

Harper's journey began with a simple choice to persevere.

"I first realized sports would play an important role in my life when I chose to train through the offseason after losing every race for an entire season," Harper said. "Instead of walking away, I became more determined to improve. This experience showed me that I possessed the resilience, discipline, and determination to pursue success as an athlete."

Her personal determination is matched by a commitment to advocating for women in sports, inspired by the athletes she admires.

"As a young athlete, I admired Allyson Felix because of her advocacy for protections that acknowledge women not only as athletes, but as humans. She advocated for female job security in professional sports by starting the conversation about pregnancy and motherhood. Her advocacy contributed to policy changes across major athletic sponsors to recognize that female athletes should not have to choose between their family and their careers. Allyson Felix normalized the idea that women's health, including maternity care, is essential to peak performance, not an obstacle to it."

Now, as a senior at Northern, she looks to become that same role model for the next generation of younger athletes.

"I try to be that role model by encouraging young athletes to advocate for themselves. Advocating for change is essential, especially in spaces like women's sports that have historically been underfunded, underrepresented, and overlooked."

Beyond advocacy, Harper values the unique unity found in women's cross country, where competition and camaraderie coexist.

"What I appreciate most about the women I compete alongside in cross country is the sense of unity. Although there may be many different teams on the start line, it truly feels like one family of female athletes. Athletes cheer not only for their own teammates, but for competitors as well. There is a shared understanding of the dedication it takes to be a female cross country competitor. The positive, collective experience creates an environment where competition and camaraderie exist side by side. Cross country is uniquely unified in that way."

Representing women in her sport adds another layer of meaning to her athletic achievements.

"Representing women in cross country at the collegiate level means competing with purpose beyond personal success. It means honoring the determination, resilience, and sacrifices of the women who came before me while setting a standard for those who will follow. As a collegiate athlete, I represent not only my team and university, but also the progress of women who continue to push for equity, respect, and opportunity in sport."

Her personal drive and advocacy are grounded in lessons from her mother, whose guidance extends far beyond the field of competition.

"I would thank my mom for my success not only as an athlete, but for my development as a person. As a lawyer, she taught me how to advocate for myself and fight for equality. She consistently reminded me that women should never diminish themselves or assume supporting roles by default, often saying that women should not reach for the pen to take notes in a meeting simply because they are women. Her words reinforced the belief that women belong at the table as leaders, decision makers, and voices of authority. Those lessons shaped how I approach athletics, academics, and life. They continue to guide me in every space I enter."

All of these experiences come together in her perspective on Women in Sports Day, which honors both achievement and perseverance.

"Women in Sports Day celebrates the pursuit of excellence in the face of obstacles. It acknowledges not only the physical demands women athletes endure through exhaustive training and competition, but also the continuous fight for equitable resources. Women's sports require athletes to push their bodies past their limits, while often doing so with inadequate opportunities, funding, and support. Women in Sports Day exists to honor that dual effort, the commitment to athletic excellence and the persistence to advocate for fair treatment within the sports world."