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The first female NBA referee

In 1997 Violet Palmer made history by becoming the first female referee in the NBA.

She was told to, "Go back to the kitchen" and basketball was "a man's game."

In 1997, Violet Palmer made history by becoming the first female referee in the NBA.

During her career she faced sexism and discrimination.

Violet tells Gill Kearsley about the anticipation and excitement of refereeing her first match.

(Photo: Violet Palmer in 2013. Credit: Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

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10 minutes

Last on

Mon 14 Aug 202302:50GMT

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