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Title IX has helped to level the playing field But there are still some arenas in sports where women are struggling to establish themselves in relation to their male counterparts. In the April installment of the AWSMNow free monthly webinar series, the Association for Women in Sports Media presents "Women breaking gender barriers", a panel discussion with five diverse women who have all made their names by venturing where few women have gone before. 

— Phoenix Suns vice president Ann Meyers Drysdale is one of the few woman currently serving a front office role in professional male sports. Meyers Drysdale also holds the distinction of being the first woman to ever sign a free agent contract with an NBA team — she signed with the Indiana Pacers in 1979. After being released by the Pacers, she provided color commentary for Pacers broadcasts, and was the first woman to broadcast an NBA game.

— This year, girls' wrestling made headlines when Cassy Herkelman became the first girl to win an Iowa state high school wrestling match. But despite the growing popularity of the sport among girls, wrestling remains a predominantly male activity. World wrestling champion Kristie Davis talks about her experiences in the sport, and her goals for the upcoming summer Olympics.

--Loretta Hunt is one of the few female reporters in the field of Mixed Martial Arts. She's a New York Times-best selling author who helped UFC Hall-of-Famer Randy Couture co-write his memoir, and has established herself as a voice of authority in a male-dominated sport.

– Justine Siegal is the founder of Baseball for All, and has long been an advocate for girls being able to play baseball instead of softball if they want to. Siegal made history this spring when she became the first woman to throw major league batting practice. In 2009, she also became the first female base coach in men's professional baseball when she coached the Brockton Rox (Can-Am League).

– Lindsey Van won the gold medal at the 2009 Nordic World Ski Championships, making history as the first women’s world champion and first American (male or female) to win WC gold in ski jumping. a pioneer in ski jumping and has fought for equality in the sport. Her persistence was rewarded earlier this month when the International Olympic Committee voted approved ski jumping as an Olympic sport for women.

We will discuss their stories, their motivations, and their aspirations. What makes them tick? And what keeps them going?

Each of these women is a pioneer in her own right, and we invite you to join us for this hour-long discussion online on Wed. April 27, 1 p.m. EST. Come ready with questions. The webinar is free, but pre-registration is required at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/666497670