Breaking Barriers: Violet Palmer, the Trailblazing Referee Who Paved the Way for Women in the NBA
Written By: Jackie Rae
It's crazy to think that we are still experiencing the very first in our country when it comes to race and gender. Beyonce was the first Black woman to headline Coachella in 2018. Ironically, she also became the first Black woman to debut at number one on the Country Music Charts. When you set out to be the first, you must be fearless, unrelenting, and intentional. In the world of basketball, Violet Renice Palmer is the Beyonce of women officials.
Violet Renice Palmer, born on July 20, 1964, started the slow crawl that has allowed every woman officiating in the NAB to run. She grew up in Compton, California, and her competitive spirit was evident early on. Her sport of choice was basketball. Palmer played point guard for Compton High School. She honed her basketball skills at Cal Poly Pomona, leading her team to two NCAA Division II Women's Championships in 1985 and 1986.
With the Women's National Basketball League still 10 years away from its inaugural season, Palmer refocused her love for the game. She graduated in 1987 with a B.A. in recreation administration and soon began officiating high school basketball games. In 1991, she officiated her first Division I Women's basketball game and the NCAA Women's Final Four from 1994 to 1997. One year after her NCAA career began, Palmer began training as an official for the NBA in 1995.
After years of refereeing at various levels, including NBA pre-season and exhibition games, Palmer's talents were recognized, and she was presented with the opportunity to officiate at the NCAA Division I men's tournament in 1996. She accepted.
Sadly, NCAA members were not keen on the idea of having a female referee male players, so the association rescinded the offer. Still, she pressed on.
In August of 1997, Palmer officiated the WNBA championship game during the association's inaugural season. Taking to the floor with legends like Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, and Teresa Weatherspoon, you have to wonder if Palmer knew she was about to have her name written in the NBA history books as well.
Three months later, on October 31, 1997, Palmer became the first woman and Black woman to officiate an NBA game during the Vancouver Grizzlies' and Dallas Mavericks' season opener.
Technically, reaching the NBA was not a goal. Long after the historic moment, Palmer told USA Today, "I was the No. 3 referee in the world for women's basketball. I had everything: The Final Four. Big T.V. games. All the limelight I wanted. But my personality is if you give me a challenge, I'm going to take it."
And take it she did. Palmer's officiating highlights include becoming the first woman to referee an NBA playoff game on April 25, 2006, and officiating the 2006 brawl-marred game between the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks. In 2014, she made history again as the first female to officiate an All-Star Game in any major U.S. sport.
Off the court, Palmer has dedicated herself to mentoring the next generation. In 2001, she established Violet Palmer's Official Camp, training young officials each summer. Her contributions to basketball earned her an honorary doctorate of science from Cal Poly Pomona in 2022.
After a stellar career spanning 919 NBA games, Palmer retired from on-court duties in 2016 due to knee issues. She continues to shape the sport as a coordinator of women's basketball officials for the Big West Conference and in her role with the NBA's referee operations department.
As Black women continue to make strides officiating in the NBA, Plamer will always be the one we remember. In fact 2018, two years after Palmer retired, ESPN Senior writer Marc J Spears noticed the fruits of Palmer's labor during a summer league game where two Black women were the officials. He tweeted, "First time I've ever seen two black women referee an NBA game of any kind. Violet Palmer would be proud Danielle Scott and Angelica Suffren reffing at the California Classic Summer League Lakers versus Heat. @TheUndefeated
Violet Palmer's story is one of trailblazing success and inspiring others to break barriers. Her legacy will forever be celebrated in the world of basketball and by all those who strive for success.