Famous Women Athletes Who Inspire

Representation in sports plays a critical role in inspiring young athletes to break down societal barriers and challenge gender norms. When young girls and boys see women succeeding in traditionally male-dominated sports, it challenges stereotypes about gender, physicality, and leadership. Representation and role models help young women imagine what is possible for themselves, whether it be on the field or court and beyond. Seeing women excel in historically male-dominated spaces can inspire a shift in mindset, not only among athletes but also among coaches, parents, and fans. According to UN Women, this culture shift towards viewership of women's sports has “tripled since 2019 after remaining stagnant for three decades at just 5 per cent to 16 per cent in 2022.” This chapter celebrates trailblazing female athletes – Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe, Allyson Felix, and Billie Jean King – whose careers have progressed the landscape of sports and advocacy. Female athletes have long been the arbiters of social change, not just for women, but also for racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and postpartum advocacy, all of which are explored in these athlete profiles.

With 23 Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals, Serena Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Throughout her career, Williams has faced racial prejudice and gender bias in tennis, a sport historically dominated by white men. Her efforts include advocating for equal pay for women, highlighting an industry that is heavily focused on appearance and body-shaming, and promoting visibility for minority athletes. Additionally, she has become a UNICEF ambassador for her work in helping provide education for children in Ghana, providing schooling for marginalized and underserved children in the area. More recently, she has worked #EveryChildAlive campaign, advocating quality and affordable healthcare for expecting parents, writing a powerful op-ed for CNN about the life-threatening birth of her daughter. When she discusses the higher rates of fatality among Black women during childbirth, she emphasizes the significant disparities present in maternal health outcomes. “Before they even bring a new life into this world, the cards are already stacked against them.” Serena Williams has modernized the sport of tennis, teaching resilience in the face of adversity. Her advocacy for equality for minority athletes serves as a model for learning to overcome setbacks, both physical and emotional.

Similarly, Megan Rapinoe is a two-time Women’s World Cup winner and Olympic Gold medalist. As one of women’s soccer’s most famous and influential figures, Rapinoe has continuously advocated for gender pay equity and LGBTQ+ rights. Megan has faced much criticism for her advocacy, including her decision to kneel during the national anthem as a protest against racial injustice. She also led her team’s lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation to fight against gender inequality and the gender pay gap. As a member of the queer community, Rapinoe has also dedicated much time and resources to LGBTQ+ rights and transgender advocacy. ​​“We as a country are trying to legislate away people’s full humanity,” she says. Proponents of such laws often claim they’re protecting women’s sports. “It’s particularly frustrating when women’s sports is weaponized.” Rapinoe’s advocacy and successful landmark settlement with the U.S. Soccer Federation, promising equal pay for female athletes, underscores the importance of using sport as a platform for social change. Coaches can use her example to inspire athletes to speak out on issues they care about and to demonstrate courage in standing up for their beliefs, even when it’s unpopular. 

With 7 Olympic gold medals and 11 world championships, Allyson Felix is one of the most accomplished sprinters in history. For much of her career, Felix has advocated for maternal health and athletes' rights, especially after Nike attempted to cut her pay when she became pregnant. She used her platform to highlight the crisis that women, specifically Black women, face in terms of motherhood. More recently, she founded the brand Saysh with her brother and business partner Wes, which focuses on making performance sneakers for female athletes made by women. Allyson’s ability to balance motherhood with elite performance demonstrates self-advocacy and maternal rights. Coaches can teach athletes that they deserve both respect and support, both in their professional and personal lives, and that there is no need to pick one or the other. 

Billie Jean King was a groundbreaking athlete, winning 39 Grand Slam titles and leading the charge for gender equality in sports. She won the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 and was named one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” by Life magazine. Through her continued work with the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, she has helped workplaces become freer of discrimination and inequality. King famously defeated Bobby Riggs in the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes," securing not only victory but also beginning the fight for equal pay for women athletes. Later, she also made headlines as one of the first prominent athletes to come out as gay. She has long been an advocate for queer rights, serving on the board for Women’s Sports Foundation and is a former member of the AIDS Foundation, founded by Elton John. King’s activism teaches coaches the importance of fighting for equity and ensuring that female athletes receive the same opportunities and resources as their male counterparts. Her leadership in sports serves as a powerful reminder to empower athletes to advocate for themselves and others.

Historically, women athletes have had to fight against misogyny and underrepresentation. Athletes like Serena Williams and Billie Jean King challenged these limitations by excelling in sports often deemed “unsuitable” for women. It is important to encourage young female athletes to push beyond societal expectations and embrace the full range of their abilities, creating environments that are empowering, not limiting.