Dorothy McIntyre is a pioneer in girls’ athletics and a passionate educator who helped lead a statewide movement for gender equity in high school sports. From 1959 to 1970, she served as a physical education teacher at Eden Prairie High School, where her determination and vision transformed opportunities for young women.

During her time in Eden Prairie, McIntyre founded the Girls Recreation Association (GRA) and the GRA/GAA women’s program, which led to a renaissance of girls’ athletics in the district. McIntyre planned unofficial scrimmages for girls with nearby schools and demonstrated her commitment to students by earning her bus driver’s license to drive athletes to competitions when no other options were available.

McIntyre traveled across the state, visiting both rural and metro communities, to encourage support for equal athletic opportunities for girls. In 1968, she co-authored the first set of bylaws for girls’ athletics in Minnesota, a proposal that was unanimously approved, laying the foundation for organized girls’ sports across the state.

In 1970, McIntyre became the first woman employed by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) as an associate director. She helped develop the League’s first guidelines for girls’ sports and led the creation of 11 girls’ state tournaments. 

Over the next four decades, McIntyre served as a leading voice for Title IX and gender equity. She co-authored Daughters of the Game: The First Era of Minnesota Girls High School Basketball, 1891-1942 and contributed to numerous local, state and national committees focused on girls' and women's athletics. 

Her work earned her prestigious recognitions including the City of Eden Prairie’s Citizen of the Year, Minnesota Honor Roll Teacher of the Year, the National Federation of State High School Association’s Award of Merit and the Ann Bancroft Award. In 2002, the Minneapolis Star Tribune named her one of Minnesota’s 100 Most Important Sports Figures of the Century, and in 2006 she was inducted into the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame.

Credit: Provided to us by Dorothy McIntyre