This issue of The First Aider focuses on women in athletic training. Although today half of the entire NATA membership is female, there were no female members until 1966. But the April 1963 First Aider highlighted the growing importance of women in the training room and is among the first documented references foreshadowing the future of women in the profession.

In 2002, Ariko Iso, ATC, made headlines as the NFL's first female athletic trainer. Ariko didn't start out thinking her career would lead to professional football-and she never imagined the attention she would receive when she accepted the job.

Ariko graduated from Oregon State University in 1993, she then earned a master's from San Jose State in 1995. Ariko joined Portland State University as an assistant athletic trainer in 1996, and after four years was named head football athletic trainer. While attending an NFL-sponsored seminar she met John Norwig, head athletic trainer for the Pittsburgh Steelers. John mentioned that the Steelers hired a female athletic training intern every summer, and encouraged Ariko to apply. She did, and about a year later accepted an internship for the summer of 2000.

"The experience and the people were wonderful," says Ariko. "I worked with John and Ryan Grove, assistant athletic trainer. There were four summer interns, one year-around intern, and a student. The eight of us took care of more than 80 athletes."

Ariko returned the following summer, and when the Steelers added an assistant position in 2002 it was offered to Ariko. "I knew I was the first female athletic trainer for the NFL," she says, "but never imagined that it would get so much attention. It was a surprise to all of us! I didn't feel like I was breaking a barrier-I just did my job. After all the media attention, though, I realized I couldn't make any mistakes because I didn't want anyone saying, 'That's why you shouldn't hire women in the NFL.'"

Mike Logan, Steelers safety from 2000-2005, feels indebted to Ariko. He says, "Her work ethic is comparable to the elite players in the NFL. Her competitive spirit helped me overcome devastating injuries. I tore major ligaments in my knee in 2001. Being an aging veteran I thought my career was over. That following off-season the Steelers drafted a safety in the first round. He needs no introduction because he is now the best safety in the NFL (Troy Polamalu). Critics wrote me off and said I had a decent career. Ariko made sure that didn't happen. She spearheaded my rehab, including picking me up early in the morning before she reported to work. Her efforts inspired me to stay in the gym longer, work harder and push myself when I thought I couldn't go anymore. I not only made the team that next year, I was able to hold off the rising star safety and win the starting job."

Mike continues, "I received the prestigious Ed Block Courage award that following year. In my acceptance speech I acknowledged my training staff and gave Ariko an extra shout out. But inside I dedicated that award to Ariko. Thanks to Ariko, I prolonged my career. Her extra assistance and motivating words couldn't be re-paid by any monetary amount. I don't know what else is in store for her, but I'm sure greatness is awaiting!"

Jessica Compere is a junior attending Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas. She participates in her school's student athletic training program, devoting at least 35 hours a week to athletic training during much of the school year. She also takes advanced classes; has an "A" average; qualifies each semester for All-District Academic distinction; is involved with church activities including singing in the youth praise band; and has a part-time job in the spring when she has a bit more free time. Without a doubt, she's an exceptional young woman!

One more thing that makes Jessy very special. She is the great-granddaughter of Lulu Cramer Perkins-the sister of Chuck and Frank Cramer, founders of Cramer Products! Lulu worked with her brothers for many years, focusing on the business end of things. Jessy's mother is Susan Mullen, and her grandmother is Betty Lou Stephens.

Incredibly, Jessy wasn't aware of her family's athletic training lineage until becoming involved in her school's program. "I quit volleyball after the first semester my freshman year because of knee problems," Jessy says. "I was interested in the athletic training program to stay involved with sports, and my mom mentioned the Cramers. As time went on, I started seeing the Cramer name all over the products we used. I soon understood the significance of my ancestors, and was amazed to discover that I have athletic training in my blood!"

Jessy enjoys all aspects of athletic training. "It's demanding, but you learn so many interesting things. I love sports, attending games, and the people. In the training room we see pictures of some horrible injuries, but that doesn't bother me. I get upset when I can't fix everything, though."

Thomas Petmecky, L.A.T., Head Athletic Trainer at Smithson Valley High School, is happy to have Jessy-or 'Moe'-in his program. "When Jessy approached me about athletic training, she was hanging around with two friends," he explains. "I called them the Three Stooges, and since Jessy was in charge and did all the talking, I started calling her 'Moe.' The name stuck."

Thomas says Jessy has what it takes to make it in athletic training. "Moe has an analytical mind and wants to understand why we do what we do. We tell students interested in our athletic training program that it's tough, many hours are involved, they'll have to prioritize, and might have to limit their social life to keep their grades up. Moe hasn't had a problem with any of this."

Jessy plans to pursue a career in athletic training and physical therapy. "I'm not afraid to work hard, and I always want make things better," she says. Those Cramer roots run deep, since Chuck and Frank Cramer were known for their strong work ethic and sincere desire to improve everything they were involved with. Jessy, all of us at Cramer Products want you to know that we're very proud of you-and we know Chuck and Frank would be extremely proud of you as well!

The NATA first addressed the growing number of women entering the profession of athletic training in 1974. That year, the NATA board appointed an Ad Hoc Committee on Women in Athletic Training to "identify the needs of women trainers and make recommendations on how the NATA can provide for the advancement of women in athletic training." Marjorie Albohm, Kaye Cosby, Linda Hammett, Sherry Kosek, Linda Treadway, Sue Schnieder and Gail Weldon served on the committee, and Holly Wilson was chair.

Twenty years later, in 1994, the NATA board formed the Women in Athletic Training Task Force, and named Katie Grove as chair. The mission statement was to research and prioritize issues of concern to women in the National Athletic Trainers' Association and to engage NATA's membership in problem-solving discussions. The goals were to bridge the gap in women's and men's perceptions regarding the profession; increase participation of women in employment settings and the NATA; provide educational resources; improve employment and advancement opportunities for women; and offer a network of support to all women in the profession.

In 1996, the task force randomly surveyed 1,000 female certified athletic trainers about issues and concerns. The top two concerns were family personal life and lack of opportunities. That year, the board voted to make the task force a standing committee, and the Women in Athletic Training Committee (WATC) was born.

WATC members have accomplished a great deal. Among other things, developed a brochure about sexual harassment; identified speakers for the national meeting; developed a timeline documenting milestones of women in athletic training; created the Gail Weldon Woman Athletic Trainer Award; collaborated with the American College of Sports Medicine on issues related to the Female Athlete Triad; and created a Website in the "members only" section of nata.org.

The mission of WATC has clearly been accomplished, as the NATA plans to absorb the committee into its "Involve and Evolve!" program. Many WATC members say the ending is bittersweet.

Cheri Drysdale, ATC, athletic trainer at Princeton University, says, "It's sad that the WATC is most likely ending, but it shows how much progress we've made through the years. We have recognized many women who have made great strides in our profession."

Britney Webb, ATC, athletic trainer at Texas State University, has been involved with WATC since 2006. She says, "During my career I have noticed that more women get involved and stay with the profession. Fewer leave for family reasons, and the work-home balance has gotten better for both women and men. It used to be a given that men working in athletic training would miss a lot of family time. But men want to see their kid play ball, too. I believe WATC had a lot to do with the improvements in this balance. It needed to be recognized that the demands of the profession were taking a toll on many people. When the committee was first formed, the issues discussed were just related to women. Now, the issues impact everyone."

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