Cal Poly Pomona

So Cal Legends: Violet Palmer

Violet Palmer has historical success as a basketball player and as a referee. She was born and raised in Compton, CA and started playing basketball at five years old.

First Female NBA Referee Retires

Palmer broke the gender barrier in 1997, along with Dee Kanter, by becoming one of the first female referees in the NBA. Palmer’s NBA career lasted for 18 years.