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Sporting Witness, Sporting Witness, The first female NBA referee

Sporting Witness

Sporting Witness

The first female NBA referee


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August 12, 2023

10 minutes

Available for over a year

In 1997, Violet Palmer made history by becoming the first female referee in the NBA.

During her career she faced sexism and discrimination.

Violet tells Gill Kearsley about the anticipation and excitement of refereeing her first match.

(Photo: Violet Palmer in 2013. Credit: Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

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