Despite the steps in the last decade to lessen the disparity between women’s and men’s sports, female athletes continue to be underpaid, underrepresented, and underappreciated in the sports realm. A paradigm shift involves advocating for fair treatment and supporting top athletes. These women didn’t just break records—they broke boundaries, ushering in a new era for aspiring young athletes. From tennis to gymnastics, basketball to boxing, these trailblazers demonstrated they have the same drive as any competitor.
Serena Williams (Tennis)
Serena Williams has dominated women’s tennis for more than two decades. With the fastest serve among female tennis players—a world record of 128.6 mph—she has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era for either gender. Her run as World No. 1 for 186 consecutive weeks between 2013 and 2016 remains the longest in Women’s Tennis Association history. Serena and her sister, Venus Williams, have inspired new generations of tennis players.
Simone Biles (Gymnastics)
Simone Biles is one of the most decorated gymnasts in the sport’s history. She holds 8 Olympic medals (5 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze) and 25 World Championship medals (19 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze). The American gymnast also holds numerous records, including being the first African-American gymnast to win a gold medal at the Olympics and the first to land a triple-double (a double backflip with three twists). Her skill and creativity have pushed the boundaries for gymnastics in floor exercise, vault, and beam.
Florence Griffith-Joyner (Track and Field)
Before there was Sha’Carri Richardson, there was Flo Jo. In the late 1980s, Florence Griffith-Joyner was one of the fastest and most stylish athletes in track and field. Her decorated fingernails and tracksuits, vibrant personality, and exceptional speed made her one of the sport’s most popular figures. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, she won three gold medals, one silver medal, and set several Olympic and World Records in the 100- and 200-meter events.
Katie Ledecky (Swimming)
Katie Ledecky won her first gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in London at age 15. Since then, she has earned 10 Olympic medals (7 gold, 3 silver) and 24 World Championship medals (15 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze). The decorated swimmer also holds 14 world records, making her one of the most record-breaking swimmers ever. Disciplined in her practice and studies—she graduated with a degree in psychology from Stanford University—Ledecky continues to inspire swimmers around the world.
Mia Hamm (Soccer)
Mia Hamm was pivotal in the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s success in the 1991 and 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cups. She also won two Olympic gold medals. By the time she retired, Hamm had scored 158 international goals, setting the record for a female soccer player. The former star continues to inspire young athletes off the field with the Mia Hamm Foundation, which supports families battling bone marrow disease and advocates for women’s sports.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Track and Field)
Widely regarded as one of the most outstanding heptathletes in the world, Jackie Joyner-Kersee set the record for the most points earned in the event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The two-day event includes the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter, long jump, javelin, and 800 meters. She also broke a world record in the long jump event at 24 feet 7 inches. Today, the 6-time Olympic medalist strongly advocates for youth sports and underprivileged populations.
Paula Radcliffe (Marathon)
Paula Radcliffe is considered one of the greatest marathon runners of all time. Her women’s marathon world record of 2:15:25, set in 2003 during the London Marathon, remains unbroken. She is a three-time London Marathon and two-time New York Marathon winner, and she became the first woman to clock a sub-2:18 time. She also holds two World Championships in the marathon. Although retired, Radcliffe continues to advocate for running, fitness, and women’s sports and supports children’s health charities.
Marion Jones (Track and Field)
Marion Jones broke the record for winning the most medals at a single Olympic Games. At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Jones won in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 4×400-meter relay, 4×100-meter relay, and the long jump events. The track and field star is also a 3-time World Champion. In 2007, Jones admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during her career, which led to her being stripped of all her Olympic medals and serving a 6-month prison sentence. Although the scandal has significantly impacted her legacy, she remains involved in advocacy and motivational speaking, sharing her experiences and lessons learned.
Diana Taurasi (Basketball)
In 2004, the Phoenix Mercury drafted Diana Taurasi into the WNBA. The California basketball star quickly emerged as a dominant force, becoming the all-time leading scorer in league history. She won three WNBA Championships and five Olympic gold medals and was named the 2009 WNBA MVP. Taurasi’s remarkable scoring ability and performance under pressure have cemented her status as one of the greatest players in women’s basketball.
Billie Jean King (Tennis)
Billie Jean King’s contributions to tennis transcend the sport. She won 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles titles, 16 women’s doubles titles, and 11 mixed doubles titles. In 1973, she defeated Bobby Riggs in the famous “Battle of the Sexes,” drawing global attention to women’s sports. King also helped form the Women’s Tennis Association and has been a staunch advocate for equal pay for female athletes. Openly gay, she is also a proud advocate for LGBTQ+ athletes.
Babe Zaharias (Golf/Track and Field)
Babe Zaharias was a pioneering figure in women’s sports. In the 1930s, she excelled as an athlete, winning Olympic medals in the high jump and 80-meter hurdles. After her Olympic career, Zaharias became a professional golfer, winning several world championships and tour titles. In 1975, she was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. At a time when men dominated sports, Zaharias blazed a trail for aspiring female athletes.
Candace Parker (Basketball)
Candace Parker is best known as a dominant force on the court. She has been named MVP twice, earned multiple All-Star selections, and won a WNBA championship with the Chicago Sky. Parker became the first woman to dunk in a playoff game. The first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft also won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA. Off the court, she made history as the first NBA analyst on TNT’s “Inside the NBA.”
Allyson Felix (Track and Field)
Following in Flo Jo’s footsteps, track and field star Allyson Felix is considered one of the greatest athletes in the world. For Team USA, she has won 9 medals—the most of any female in the sport. Felix has earned 11 World Championship titles and 16 World Championship medals. In 2018, she became pregnant, prompting her sponsor, Nike, to alter her contract. Since then, she has been a strong advocate for gender equality. Her performance at the 2012 London Olympics, where she took home three gold medals and one silver, was particularly outstanding.
Katie Taylor (Boxing)
Katie Taylor has become one of the greatest female boxers ever. In her professional career, she remains undefeated with 22 wins and currently holds the lightweight boxing championship title. At the 2012 London Olympics—a historic moment as it marked the event’s debut—she paved the way for women’s boxing, and her dedication to success has inspired athletes everywhere.
Simone Manuel (Swimming)
In 2016, Simone Manuel became the first African American swimmer to win a gold medal in Rio de Janeiro. She has also won multiple World Championship medals in the freestyle events, and at the 2019 World Championships, she broke an American record in the 100-meter freestyle. In addition to her athletic achievements, Simone has become a vocal advocate for diversity in the sport and for mental health. With a burgeoning career, she continues to break boundaries in swimming.
