On Saturday, January 4, from 3pm to 5.30pm, Longue Vue House and Gardens in New Orleans will celebrate the lead-up to Super Bowl LIX with a pep rally and screening of Olivia Kuan’s award-winning documentary, “The Herricanes,” showcasing the history of the Women’s National Football League (1974-1988). T
he screening is one component of a larger exhibit, Women in Football, exploring the remarkable journeys of women who have defied expectations, shattered glass ceilings, and left an indelible mark on the sport. National sports figures such as Olivia Manning, Heather Van Norman and Warren Moon, have signed up to “join the movement” being led by Dr. Jen Welter, the first female coach in the NFL.
“Longue Vue has a storied history of breaking gender barriers and fighting for recognition in male-dominated fields,” says the gardens’ Executive Director Dr. Stella Baty Landis in a release about the event. “The grounds’ chief landscape architect, Ellen Biddle Shipman, was a trailblazer in her own right. Supporting initiatives like Women in Football honors legacies like hers and speaks directly to our mission.”
Women in Football will open to the public on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. and feature a variety of memorabilia and accounts from female football competitors nationwide. From pioneering players who fought for opportunities, to the influential executives and coaches who shaped the game, Women in Football seeks to uncover hidden histories and spotlight unsung heroines who paved the way for today’s female athletes.
“This movement goes beyond the players on the field,” says Dr. Jen Welter. “It highlights women in every corner of the sport: front office executives, media personalities, coaches, referees, cheerleaders, scouts, owners, agents, and investors. By telling their stories, we honor the progress made and highlight the diverse roles women have played in shaping football as we know it.”
Driven to create lasting change, Dr. Jen Welter founded Grrridiron Girls, the first national football camp series specifically for girls, designed to empower the next generation of female athletes. This year, the 7th annual Grrridiron Girls will be presented in partnership with 18th Ward at Longue Vue House and Gardens. The camp will offer 18th ward participants the chance to learn the fundamentals of flag football in a setting that embodies the spirit of revolutionary women such as Edith Stern and Ellen Biddle Shipman.
Visit longuevue.com to secure tickets, donate, and get involved.
Film Screenings of The Herricanes by Olivia Kuan Saturday, Jan. 4, from 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, from 2:30-4 p.m. Tickets available at longuevue.com.
Women in Football Exhibit Opening Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 5-7 p.m. Closing March 15, 2025. Tickets available at longuevue.com.
