African American Studies (AFAM) will host a conversation between Lily Godwin ’26 and Dr. Melanie Rouse on April 1 in honor of Women’s History Month. The celebration also serves as a commemoration of Godwin’s accomplishments on and off the field.
In October 2023, Godwin made history by becoming the first known woman to complete an unassisted tackle in NCAA history. Godwin, who played both linebacker and running back for her high school football team, is an English major and an AFAM minor, also works as a resident assistant on campus.
Dr. Rouse is a 2025 WFA Division III national champion who works as a sports performance coach and serves as the Maternal Mortality Projects Manager for the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Her research focuses on social determinants of health and racial and ethnic disparities in maternal mortality. She manages Virginia’s Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Surveillance System, coordinates the state Maternal Mortality Review Team, and has been recognized by the Alliance for Health Policy as a government expert on drivers of maternal mortality. She also volunteers with the March of Dimes Virginia Maternal and Child Health Committee.
The university has long been committed to championing women's rights. Puget Sound’s first women’s basketball team was formed in 1913, and in 1973, the school implemented a Women’s Studies program, which would go on to become the current Gender and Queer Studies program. In 2024, the university received a $1 million gift from Christi Offutt ’91 to support the Elevate: Women's Athletics Wellness and Leadership Development Program, which promotes mental health, nutrition, injury prevention, and leadership development in female athletes.
Godwin’s boundary-breaking career in a male-dominated sport is a testament to Puget Sound’s dedication to creating a culture of belonging on campus.
"Tackle Like a Girl: A Conversation & Celebration of Women in American Football" is April 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Tahoma Room, followed by a dessert reception. Those unable to attend in person can register to watch a livestream of the event here.
