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1956 - Abby Hoffman's a Girl!

Photograph of Abby Hoffman in her hockey gear, 1955

Abby Hoffman, 1955
Source

In 1955, at the age of 8, Abby Hoffman cut her hair short and joined a boys' hockey team as defenceman. Having played hockey with her brothers since the age of five, Abby had developed great skill at the game. Abby became "Ab" and everyone thought she was a boy. All went well until she was to play an all-star game and players had to show their birth certificates. When her secret became known, Abby was thrust into the spotlight. She was in all the newspapers and interviewed for radio and television.

Abby went on to become a runner, competing in four Olympic games and carrying the flag for Canada at the 1976 Games. Abby's early experiences as a girl wanting to participate in sports helped her later on when she worked at the Ontario Human Rights Commission and at Sports Canada.

No Time for Girls -- Abby.

Les officiels d'une petite ligue de hockey confondus.

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