Betty Jameson

She captivated a room like no one else with her infectious smile, graceful step and charming persona. One probably would never have guessed from looking at her that she was a fierce competitor at heart. As one of the 13 founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), Betty, who passed away Feb. 7 at 89, had a strong will and conviction that were key to opening doors for future generations of golfers, including me. Several months ago, I had the pleasure of being honored at the Hispanic Heroes Luncheon in West Palm Beach, Fla. Betty, a local resident, attended, and as I met her gaze in the audience, I was reminded that a true hero was sitting before me.

Betty saw golf not only as a game but also as a serious profession for women who loved it as passionately as she did. She dedicated herself to all aspects of it–playing, organizing tournaments, establishing rules and more. While my fellow players and I do not have it as hard as Betty did in an era when women’s sports were barely a blip on the radar, we have derived our own mission from the work of Betty and the other incredible first women of golf. Even with all the progress we have made since the LPGA’s inception in 1950, there are always more goals, more opportunities and more ways of giving back. Betty never rested or lost sight of her vision. And for that reason, neither should we.

Lopez is a Hall of Fame golfer and four-time LPGA Player of the Year