This International Women's Day, the Richmond Football Club recognises the women who have contributed to the Club's history and paved the way for generations to come, as researched by Club Historian Rhett Bartlett.

From the 1890s, the Club had a Ladies Committee responsible for fundraising/social evenings. In all reporting, their first name was never given. If they were married, their names were always listed as their husband's name. To those never fully documented by name, we thank you for all you did.

In the early 1900s, of the 40+ Vice Presidents of the club, only three were women. They included Annie Tabulo and her sister Amelia, who were the proprietor of several Richmond pubs. The Vice President role was for prominent supporters in the Richmond area.

In 1923, a team made up of women workers from the Bryant and May Match Factory took on the Richmond Reserves to raise money (for the men) to have an interstate trip. The captain Aggie Holliday said "she claimed the right to play men's games, because she did men's work". The "Tigresses", defeated Richmond Reserves (dressed in fancy dress), at Punt Road.

During the Great Depression in 1933, Richmond and Carlton hosted a charity women’s football match at Princes Park. Thousands of spectators flocked to Princes Park and footage of the game was shown on a Cinesound newsreel.

In 1937, membership had decreased by 700 and gate takings were down 200 pounds. Up stepped the women of the Club, who created the fundraiser "Queen Competition". They raised 1,111 pounds, the club finishing 1937 with 700 pounds in credit. The women, Ivy Fleming, Gladys Connelly and Dulcie Titus, were thanked under their husband's name. 

When she died in 1951, Monica Manzie was eulogised as the 'Mother of Richmond Football Club', for her continued passion and support, even when her husband Andrew left Richmond as secretary for Melbourne Football Club. Her residence was a place of social gathering for players and supporters.

Alice Wills established a supporters group in 1959 and sat in the old Grandstand. They raised funds and sponsored players. Alice later oversaw mail-outs, collections tins and volunteers during Save Our Skins. She was the Club's first life member in 1988, and is our only current female Hall of Fame inductee. 

As Alice watched from the grandstand in 1959, a group of teenagers met behind the Punt Road goals, and slowly began to form our first cheer squad. Pauline Di Mauro was one of them. "We'd go down and meet at Dimmeys and buy our crepe paper," she said.

Joining Pauline in the formation of our cheer squad was Lorraine Evans. "What we did was carry a blanket around the ground at 1/4 time + 1/2 time and people threw money in it...and that's how we raised the money for that big first banner, she said. 

In the 1970s, there was an influx of children born of Richmond players. So Kerry Bourke (Francis Bourke's wife), convinced Graeme Richmond that the club should host them at Berry Street, so the wives can go and watch the football. 

In 1990, during the height of Save Our Skins, the club's marketing department was run by Pauline Satchell, Jenny Connolly, Joy Irvin. The Bookkeeper was Leonie Baldwin, computer operator was Julie Mandersloot and personal assistant was Debbie Matheson.

Margaret Scott is an example of all our tireless Club volunteers. Born in Richmond, she was one of Alice Wills supporter group members, was part of Tiger Lillies, rattled tins, did mail-outs, sold raffle tickets for Save Our Skins, as well as helping out in the shop and museum.

In 1998, the Club launched Hafey's Ambush - a women's networking group. It was co-organised by Maureen Hafey. Maureen received a Life Membership in 2015 for her support of players, coaches, families, staff with her association with Tom. She presented the 2019 premiership cup

Jan Richmond joined her husband, the famous club secretary Graeme Richmond, often when he travelled around to sign up players. She is the strongest of advocates for his service to the club.

Peggy O'Neal became the first female president in AFL/VFL history in 2013 when she was appointed President of the Richmond Football Club. The American-born trailblazer was at the helm for just over nine years, overseeing three Richmond premierships and becoming a Life Member.

In 2018, the Tigers entered the VFLW and won their first ever game against the Western Bulldogs, making Club history. 

Richmond was granted an AFLW license for the 2020 season, and, led by captain Katie Brennan, the Tigers played their first game against Carlton at Ikon Park on February 7.  

Going winless in their first season in the competition, Richmond's first ever AFLW victory arrived in its second season in 2021 against Geelong. 

In 2022,  Richmond faced Hawthorn in a historic AFLW practice match at the MCG, the first time the Tigers played on the hallowed turf. 

Following a successful 2022 season which included a top four finish and their first finals campaign, the Tigers hosted North Melbourne in a semi-final, the Club's first ever AFLW final held at Punt Road.