Annual Salute to Women in Sports -- Softball's Jessica Mendoza Nabs Sportswoman of the Year

For the past 29 years, the Women's Sports Foundation has been recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of female athletes. Earlier this evening at the Annual Salute to Women in Sports Awards Dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria, the foundation paid tribute to today's top-female athletes and their accomplishments. Over 70 remarkable female athletes, were in attendance representing 43 different sports. The night kicked off with a stroll down the red-carpet. After the jump, see who we caught up with.

The annual event raises over a million dollars each year. Supporters, activists and participants of women's sports have contributed $1.5 million to the organization on a mission to advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity.

Highlighting the evening was the presentation of the Sportswoman of the Year ward. Jessica Mendoza, from the USA softball team received the award. Mendoza, a two-time Olympic medalist, has been on a U.S. Army Goodwill Tour of Afghanistan where she visited troops there. She is also on a European Tour where the sport needs growth, all in an effort to get softball back in the Olympic Games.

And speaking of softball...Stay tuned.....we have lots more coming this Saturday. Our Lolita Lopez, sits down with members of the team to discuss their thoughts about the removal of softball from the Olympic games. There is a shot they could have it reinstated in 2016, but it's going to take a lot of work. Find out what other players are doing and how you can help put the sport back in the Olympic line-up.

For more information about the Women's Sports Foundation visit: www.womenssportsfoundation.org