The Hockey Hall of Fame has begun to induct women in the player category. However there are no women inducted that have been involved in the building of women's hockey. I can't think of a better person to be first than Fran Rider.

She was instrumental in starting the Ontario Women's Hockey Association and helped organize the first unofficial Women's World Hockey Championship in 1987, and then the first official one in 1990.

She has already been inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame, the Mississauga Sports Hall of Fame, the Order of Ontario, the Order of Canada and the new formed Order of Hockey in Canada.

A few other accolades...

- The Fran Rider Cup is given to the silver medal-winning team at the Canadian Senior Women's National Championships

- First female recipient of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association's Award of Merit.

- First woman to receive the Ontario Hockey Association's Minor Hockey Service Award.

- OHA's Gold Stick Award (She was the first woman in forty five years to have the honor bestowed upon her)

- Ontario Ministry of Culture and Citizenship's Contribution to Sport Award

If the HHOF doesn't think Fran should be inducted so be it, but it's time for them to begin to induct the women who helped build the women's game into what it is today.