WHEREAS, Janiya Victor is the first female player in the history of the Philadelphia Public League to play on a high school boys baseball team. Janiya is currently a sophomore at John Bartram High School in Southwest Philadelphia, where she is playing her second season at the shortstop position; and
WHEREAS, Janiya is valued by her team and irreplaceable in her position as number one shortstop. Janiya was named to the Philadelphia All-Public boys baseball team after completing a successful season with the Bartram Braves. Across the span of 12 games with the Braves, she racked up a record worthy of recognition. Janiya’s record includes 33 hits, 20 runs, 6 doubles, and 2 triples; and
WHEREAS, Janiya is a talented young woman and multi-position player. In addition to shortstop, she played pitcher in a single game for the Braves. As pitcher, Janiya struck out 5 batters in 3 innings, which led the Bartram Braves into the Public League playoffs; and
WHEREAS, Janiya also plays basketball. She has been named to the Philadelphia All-Public girls basketball team for the last two years. As a starting point guard, she has averaged more than 15 points per game; and
WHEREAS, Janiya is a phenomenal young woman who is following in the footsteps of Mo’ne Davis, the first girl pitch a shutout in Little League World Series history; and
WHEREAS, Research makes it clear that girls experience significant physical, mental and social benefits by participating in athletics. High school girls who play sports have higher levels of confidence and self- esteem, are more likely to get better grades in school, and are more likely to graduate than girls who do not play sports; and
WHEREAS,
Janiya hopes to continue her career in baseball, softball, or basketball at UCLA after graduating from high school. Her ultimate goal is to play baseball in the major leagues or to earn a spot in the WNBA.
Young women like Janiya are making strides in gendered sports to foster inclusivity and opportunity for equal competition; now therefore be it
and
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, that we hereby congratulate Janiya Victor on her achievement as the first and only girl to play for a Philadelphia high school boys baseball team.
End