10 Women Who Broke Through as the First Female Referees, Umpires, and Coaches in Pro Sports
Progress in women’s professional sports has historically come in small milestones first. The women in this list stepped into roles that had long excluded them and handled the pressure with confidence. Their careers opened doors, shifted expectations, and made it easier for the next wave to step onto the field or court.
Dee Kantner
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After starting in college to earn extra money, Dee Kantner developed a feel for the game that carried her through decades. In 1997, the NBA hired her as one of its first female officials. Her career spanned more than 40 years, including consistent work in the NCAA tournament.
Violet Palmer
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Violet Palmer’s path began with scorekeeping duties in local games. She stepped in as a fill-in referee when needed, then realized officiating could become a career. The NBA hired her alongside Kantner, and she stayed for nearly two decades. Palmer later worked on playoff and All-Star games.
Jen Pawol
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Jen Pawol’s MLB debut came through an unusual scheduling situation, but the moment carried historic weight. Called up from Triple-A for a doubleheader in Atlanta, she became the first woman to umpire a major league game in 150 years. The crowd gave her a standing ovation before the first pitch.
Sarah Thomas
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Sarah Thomas entered the NFL in 2015 after years of officiating college football. Her promotion made headlines, though she treated it as another step in a long career. In 2021, she worked the Super Bowl and became the first woman to do so. Football had long resisted change in this area, which made her presence even more significant.
Natalie Sago
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Natalie Sago reached a milestone in the NBA when she became part of the first three-person NBA officiating crew to feature two women. The game itself played out like any other, which was part of the point. Sago had worked through the G League pipeline before earning her spot.
Jenna Schroeder
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Jenna Schroeder joined the same historic two-woman NBA crew and brought her own journey to the moment. She had spoken openly about how officiating aligned with her personal values and professional goals. Working at the highest level validated years of preparation and persistence. Her presence helped reinforce that these milestones were no longer rare exceptions.
Kathryn Nesbitt
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Kathryn Nesbitt made history in Major League Soccer when she officiated the MLS Cup, the league’s championship match. Her background included work in sports medicine before transitioning fully into refereeing. This shaped how she managed games and communicated with players. The assignment placed her in one of the most visible roles in American soccer.
Anne Panther
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Anne Panther built a strong reputation in European basketball, where she regularly officiated high-level men’s games, including EuroLeague matchups. Her assignments placed her in intense environments with passionate crowds and skilled teams. Panther’s calm approach stood out, especially in close contests. She became one of the most recognized female referees in international basketball.
Natalie Aspinall
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Natalie Aspinall was one of the first women to referee in the Premier League. Early in her career, she dealt with practical challenges that had little to do with the game itself, including limited facilities for female officials. She adapted and kept progressing through the system.