Following the annual day of observance during the first week of February for National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Clemmie Perry, a former NFL cheerleader for both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins, held an event at Amalie Arena between five sports organizations to spark constructive conversation. The Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Tampa Bay Sun FC joined forces for an afternoon of celebration for trailblazers in a male-prevalent industry.

Perry, the Founder and Executive Director of Women of Color Golf and Girls on the Green Tee, began the outreach program to become a catalyst for change and representation. She grew up exposed to sports and difference-makers in their respective fields. Clemmie Perry’s father, Charles Perry, was one of the first African-American men to get an NFL contract from the Tuskegee Institute. At that time in the 1940s, each NBA team could only have one black player and her father was the ambassador on the Detroit Gems. He put a basketball in Clemmie’s hands, and she saw a visual representation of her aspiration to make her own impact in the world of sports one day. That dream became a reality.

“Although, we are typically concentrated in our own sport whether that is football, soccer, volleyball or basketball, women are typically not geared towards the game of golf,” said Perry. “So, I had been a corporate executive for three different Fortune 500 Companies, and I ended up losing my job and I thought, ‘Well I have always wanted to play golf and now I have time.’ So, as a result of that layoff, I started taking golf lessons and I was too broke to buy clubs, and my family jumped in. I found an old set of clubs on a trash pile and that is why yesterday became so important to me and our mission. We gave away a set of golf clubs to a young career executive. You are just trying to make ends-meet as a young career executive, and I wanted to bridge the gap for someone else. When I first started playing golf, I did not see many women on the green, particularly women of color. I ended up taking my severance package after I was laid off and started ‘Women of Color Golf and Girls on the Green Tee’ because I realized that half of my life was over, but I could change it for the women coming behind me.”

For any stage of a career for every individual, a support system and a moral compass is key. In Clemmie Perry’s case, her mentor is Doctor Renee Powell, the second African-American woman to play on the LPGA tour, competing in more than 250 events after joining in 1967. In 1995, Powell became the first African-American female Class A member of the PGA of America and the LPGA. Her father, William Powell, opened Clearview Golf Course in 1948 – the first course completely designed and built by an African-American. Their influence, along with her own conviction, fueled the fire in Perry.

“It all started with a mentor of mine in golf,” stated Perry. “Her name is Doctor Renee Powell, and this woman is the most decorated African-American woman in golf and she took me under her wing. I felt honored and cherished. Her father built the first black owned and operated golf course in America because when he came back from the war in Scotland, men of color were not allowed to play on golf courses in the U.S. She still runs that golf course today. She taught me everything that I know, and I just watched her. It is critical to have a mentor in your life. That was the impetus, along with the global statistics. There are about 24 million people that play golf and 4% are minorities and less than 1% are women of color. It was a no brainer for me. I was going to use that severance to enact change.”

The Bucs announced their inaugural She is Football Weekend, celebrating Tampa Bay’s female leaders of today and the future. The event is presented by Jabil, a manufacturing company and one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay region. The new flagship event is set to take place on Friday, March 7, and on International Women’s Day, Saturday, March 8. The weekend will feature a women’s career summit, a girls flag football tournament, 5K run, walk and stroll and a market that showcases women-owned businesses.

“My family has always been intentional on cultivating an environment that provides opportunities for everyone. She is Football Weekend will build upon this commitment,” said Buccaneers Owner/Chairman Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation/Chairman Glazer Vision Foundation Darcie Glazer Kassewitz. “We believe in the connection between sports and leadership. 94% of women in C-suite positions played sports when they were younger. However, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys. The Buccaneers are committed to doing our part in keeping girls in the game for success both on and off the field.”

“Jabil is proud to partner with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to help invest in and inspire the next generation of women leaders,” said Tuba Kuklen, Vice President of Talent Management at Jabil. “It’s our goal to give all women and girls the confidence to achieve their greatest ambitions — whether it’s leading a business, learning a new skill, or becoming a champion for their community.”

The festivities will kick off with the She is Football Women’s Summit at Raymond James Stadium. Bringing in female leaders from all industries, the Summit is designed for women interested in multiple career pathways. Programming will appeal to those at different phases of their career, from young professionals to senior executives. The summit will create intimate mentorship opportunities through audience-driven conversations and breakout sessions.

On Saturday, March 8, community members can participate in the She is Football 5K Run, Walk and Stroll at the AdventHealth Training Center. Runners of all levels are encouraged to participate, with funds raised going towards programming to keep young girls participating in sports. Saturday will also feature a women-owned She is Football Market as well as curated tours throughout the AdventHealth Training Center for girls to learn more about the roles available within a professional sports organization.