In this episode of Her Game. Her Voice., we dive into the stories of two groundbreaking women’s basketball teams.

First, the Fort Shaw Indian Boarding School team—Indigenous girls who dominated the court in the early 1900s, becoming world champions at the 1904 World’s Fair. But their success came with a dark reality, as their victories were used to promote assimilation policies. It’s a story that will make you cheer—and cringe.

Then, meet the All American Red Heads, the first professional women’s basketball team, who took on men’s teams by men’s rules while sporting matching red hair (thanks to Clairol Flame 33). Part Harlem Globetrotters, part unstoppable force, they paved the way for women’s pro ball.

Plus, this week’s Buzzer Beater, Airball Award, and Flagrant Foul—including the NCAA’s new pay structure for women’s March Madness and a Big 12 tournament court so ugly it should’ve been ejected.

Show Notes:

📺 Watch the Fort Shaw documentary Playing for the World (PBS)

https://www.pbs.org/video/montanapbs-presents-playing-for-the-world

📽️ See the All American Red Heads in action (YouTube link)

https://youtu.be/wWri6sWbMqo

“Big stories, short episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson