March is International Women's Month. It’s a time we can reflect on the strong, kind-hearted, hard-working women in sports. There are so many female athletes who paved the way for the sports industry. Sports is one area where women are still the minority, but they shouldn't be. According to Livestream, 80 percent of women consider themselves sports fans.
Though we still have some work to do, women have made major gains over the years in the world of sports. There are numerous influential women in sports who have helped female athletes get where they are today. Here are some of them:
Simone Biles - Biles is the most decorated female gymnast in the world, with a total of 20 gold medals. She is a powerhouse. She won four gold medals(including another all-around title), a silver, and a bronze medal in the last Olympic games. Additionally, she became the only women gymnast to complete the Yurchenko double pike. She truly showcases what it means to be a successful and humble athlete.
Serena Williams - Serena Williams has most definitely made a name for herself in sports. There is no arguing that Serena is one of the best tennis players in the world. She has won 17 singles Grand Slams, 13 women’s doubles Grand Slams, two mixed doubles Grand Slams, and four Olympic gold medals. She’s now a mom and still killin’ it on the court. She also isn’t afraid to stand up for herself or what is right. She even called out a ref for giving her an unfair call in a match this past year. She has taught girls to stand up for themselves and what they believe in.
Toni Harris - Harris signed a contract to play defense on the men's football team for Central Methodist University. If not that breaks down barriers and stereotypes, I’m not sure what is. Harris dreams of one day being the first female to play in the NFL.
Brittney Griner - From a star player at Baylor, with 18 dunks and aiding Baylor to a national title back in 2012 to playing pro. She is nothing less than influential both on and off the court. Griner came out as gay and has set an example for other gay players both present and in the future to not be afraid to be who you are. She has inspired many to truly be themselves and that you can be gay and a successful athlete!
Condoleezza Rice - For Rice, breaking barriers is nothing new. She was the first African American in history to hold the top diplomatic position in the nation. So why should sports be any different? In 2013, Rice was chosen as one of the first members of the College Football Playoff selection committee. In 2012, she also became one of the first two women to be admitted to the Augusta National Golf Club.
Erin Andrews - Andrews helped define the job as a female sports reporter. She fought long and hard for women to be respected as sports reporters. Though she is beyond talented at her job, she faced heavy criticism for being ‘just a pretty face.’ She handled the criticism with class and rose above it while continuing to kill it at her job. She has now been in the business for 15 years and is the best of the best. After years of paving the way, she finally has the respect she deserves and has made being a female sports reporter a pretty normal occupation. She has proved that you can do what you love and be respected for it, even in a male-driven world.
Chloe Kim - Chloe Kim is an Olympic gold medalist snowboarder and high-schooler. She has been able to make a name for herself in the sport she loves, which is inspiring enough. On top of it, she’s real. She shows her flaws and realness to all. This 17-year-old snowboarder kept tweeting about food and real life while competing. She is not afraid to be herself and show the world that though she is an Olympic athlete, she’s just like everyone else. She breaks down the stereotypes of perfection that society sets for young girls and does it all with a hint of humor.
Sarah Thomas - Sarah Thomas made history this year when she became the first woman to officiate an NFL playoff game. Which is huge news. Women have been becoming more and more relevant in the world of sports, and Thomas breaking down barriers to be the first woman ever to officiate an NFL playoff game is just the beginning.
Aly Raisman - Aly Raisman was another Olympic gold medalist and a member of the Fab Five that swept gold medals in the last Olympic games. On top of that, Aly was a voice to those who had been sexually assaulted. Aly was outspoken about her traumatic experiences with Larry Nassar in the Larry Nassar case. She became an inspiring voice in a horrible time. She showed people that even the top of the top have fears and face battles, but that does not make you any less of a warrior.
Lee Kiefer - She brought home the gold in the individual foil at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. This was a monumental moment for a few reasons. First, this makes her the first female to do this for the U.S. On top of that, this is the first-ever American fencer to win this title!
Women's U.S. Soccer team - In February 2022, the U.S. Women's Soccer team won a settlement, ensuring the athletes will get paid the same as the U.S. Men's team. It is a historic win for these ladies who have been fighting for this for the past 6 years.
Suni Lee - Lee became a gold medalist in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She won the women's all-around gold medal. Lee also became the first gymnast to ever perform a skill called Nabieva in a college meet in 2022. The skill has the highest rating level in gymnastics and Lee performed it on her bars routine and on her Olympic routine.
These are just a few of the women who helped pave the way for the sports world we live in, but there are many more women we have to be thankful for. Be sure to let us know who a female in the world of sports who inspires you is in the comments below. ⬇️