It is included in the Olympics and all major multi-sporting events around the globe. In February 2019, two trans athletes (who were born male and identify as female) took first and second place at the Connecticut state high school track championship. At just 25 years old, the Lyon striker is the all-time leading scorer in the Women's Champions League and the first woman to win soccer’s biggest award, the Ballon d'Or. . Since starting in her position, Ivey has already used her platform to speak out after the police killing of George Floyd. Since then, Rapinoe has doubled down on her tireless fight for racial and gender equality, LGBTQ rights and social justice, refusing to be silent in the face of adversity. Women's Track & Field Roster Season 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016-2017 2016 2015 … USA Wrestling Since drafting Barry Sanders back in 1989, the Detroit Lions can't seem to catch a break at the running back position, Introducing our list of the most powerful, most influential and most outstanding women in sports right now—the game-changers who are speaking out, setting the bar and making a difference, © 2021 ABG-SI LLC. Selina Soule. Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images. Coco Gauff went from being No. All the while, Hammon served as a trailblazer and inspiration for other women striving for male-dominated coaching positions. In June, Cloud signed a deal with Converse to become the first WNBA athlete to join the sneaker brand, which covered the entirety of Cloud’s forfeited 2020 salary. As she gears up for the Tokyo Olympics, Felix remains at the forefront of the fight. Women who are showing up, speaking out, setting the bar and making a difference, both inside and outside of competition. Since then, Bolden has become a three-time NWHL All-Star and the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year. Although the percentage of female athletic directors has increased from 19% in 2009 to 24% in 2019, according to an annual report from Women Leaders in College Sports, most hires have come at the Division II and III levels, leaving this small group to represent women at the top ranks of college sports. Curling. In a mostly white league, Davis has been integral in identifying inequities, fighting for representation and creating awareness. This year, Baird also helped to secure a television contract with CBS, a streaming agreement with Twitch and several new sponsorship deals, as well as league expansion for future seasons. University of Washington’s Cohen, Penn State’s Barbour, Pittsburgh’s Lyke, Virginia’s Williams and Vanderbilt's recently hired Lee represent the five women to hold the athletic director position across the 65 colleges in the Power 5 sports conferences, the nation’s most lucrative and influential. All nine WWPA women’s water polo teams compete in matches against other WWPA teams and within the NCAA. “I’m honored to be the first, but there is also a part of me that knows the timing of my career has contributed to this,” Burke told SI in September 2020. In 2018, before the USAPL changed their rules, JayCee Cooper, a trans powerlifter, set records in women's bench press after only having powerlifted for a year. The former science teacher from Golden, Colo., has set records for running extremely long distances, beating runners of all genders in arduous endurance events over hundreds of miles. She’s credited with moving the team’s home venue from the Westchester County Center to the larger Barclays Center used by the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and continuing to increase viewership and prominence of the team, both in the New York metropolitan area and at the national level. We educate. She has continuously made history during her illustrious career, becoming the first woman to be awarded the Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and, in 2017, the first woman to be a full-time NBA TV analyst on ESPN and ABC, a role that she still holds today. The label may be in her Twitter bio, but Montaño has done much more than just compete while pregnant. Dany Garcia is building an empire. It was a swift and unexpected start for the former longtime U.S. Olympic Committee marketing chief, but after only a few months in her new role, Baird made a significant impact. During her time in the NBA, Ivey became only the ninth woman to coach in the league, and in her new role at Notre Dame, the 43-year-old became the school’s first Black woman head coach in any sport. of women’s sports, but more recently it has been soccer achieving significant mile-stones. In recent years, the boot camps and seminars have expanded to include not only aspiring sports journalists, but also women looking to advance their careers in public relations, marketing, sports business and more. At the 2016 Rio Olympics as a 19-year-old rookie, Manuel quickly made her name known, capturing four medals overall and becoming the first Black swimmer to win gold in an individual event. Garcia adds her new title to an ever-expanding list that already includes CEO, executive producer, professional bodybuilder and more. In 1998, at age 24, Tracy was gang-raped by four football players. Since she was hired, Davis’s aim has been focused on diversity and making the sport of hockey more inclusive. And when the NBA Finals begin next month, Burke is set to rewrite the records yet again as the first woman to serve as a game analyst for the event on network television or radio broadcast. On average, Utah State University gave female athletes $6,454 in sports related student aid. A broadcaster and reporter for more than 25 years, Okmin has covered the Olympics, more than 10 Super Bowls, multiple World Series, and NBA and NHL championships. In July 2020, Clarke was promoted to CEO. From athletes and activists, to executives, coaches and more, the group of honorees is diverse and spans a variety of sports and fields, but all of the women share a common thread: They’re all changing the game. In 1959, the manager of a sports club, Allan Andersen, noticed that many of their activities were not receiving the funding needed. After 33 years at the helm of Notre Dame women’s basketball, McGraw announced her retirement from coaching in April 2020, finishing with 936 career victories, nine Final Fours and two national championships with the Fighting Irish. “Everyone thinks women should be thrilled when we get crumbs, and I want women to have the cake, the icing and the cherry on top, too.”. You’ll typically find her on the sidelines for the NFL on Fox and Westwood One’s NFL national radio games, or working to create a mentorship network for women in sports through her company, Galvanize. On Jeopardy! An openly gay Black woman, Jenkins is taking on the challenges of a male-dominated sport and working to set the standard for young girls and women who aspire to play football. Current NCAA emerging sports for women (and sport governing bodies/organizations): Acrobatics and tumbling. The Pacers will be without their starting center as the push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. On average, Brigham Young University - Provo gave female athletes $5,307 in sports related student aid. In Denmark, women were allowed to participate in football in a football club or in school. Jackson has also been integral in helping the union navigate the coronavirus pandemic and supportive in the players’ efforts to spread awareness about racial inequality during the WNBA season. Business Leads | Market Research Chain Store Guide’s Apparel Specialty Stores includes over 4,600 apparel companies including T.J Maxx, Victoria’s Secret, Men’s Warehouse, and The Sports “All the people that were telling me to ‘keep politics out of sports’ (which it wasn’t political at all), really inspired me to win. After surviving a domestic assault by a former boyfriend nearly 12 years ago, Donaldson is passionate about using the ordeal to further support her dedication to making a difference in the team’s culture. Men's teams included skiing, soccer, and rugby, while women's teams included field hockey, volleyball, and track and field.Recently, Brigham Young University offers four sports for men, soccer, racquetball, lacrosse, rugby; and one sport for women, racquetball. Although the level of participation and performance still varies greatly by country and by sport, women's sports are generally accepted throughout the world today. A journalist, from Femina, went to cover the match and not long after the magazine was in a general meeting with those women establishing an association for women's football… Selina Soule was one of the top five female high school sprinters in Connecticut... until competing against biological boys changed the game. Those were the words famously spoken by tennis legend Billie Jean King in 1970 as she led a crusade calling for female players to earn equal prize money. BILLIE JEAN KING, Tennis. The 57-year-old has established herself as the leading civil rights lawyer for young athletes involved with sex-abuse lawsuits, and in the wake of the Nassar and USA Swimming scandals, Hogshead-Makar continues to advocate for reform to make sports safer. In June 2020, Metelus was promoted to the CAA board, the group that is responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency. The 29-year-old has made strides off the ice, too, dedicating her time to helping young women of color get involved in the sport and working with Black Girl Hockey Club, a nonprofit organization focused on inclusivity in hockey. In March, she added another piece to her expansive portfolio: league owner. There is an increasing number professional leagues around the world, and the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 attracted a TV audience of 150 million. National Intercollegiate Rugby Association; USA Rugby; Triathlon. An earlier version of this story incorrectly omitted the name of Candice Story Lee, one of five female athletic directors at a Power 5 school. In 2019, Felix’s op-ed on her former sponsor Nike in The New York Times ignited a discussion about pregnancy discrimination in sports and athletics and led to the brand’s revision of contracts to include more protections for pregnant athletes. Backed by other women like Alex Morgan and Rapinoe speaking up about equal pay, Hegerberg’s voice has been amplified. While her three-set, comeback victory over Victoria Azarenka in the final was undeniably impressive, the 22-year-old has been resolute and relentless in using her platform to speak up in 2020. A longstanding figure in the sport of tennis for more than two decades, Williams has 23 Grand Slam titles to her name—and at age 39, she’s still competing and clawing for her record-tying 24th major title. Nordic Combined. Team sports can be great for growing girls. A longstanding figure in broadcasting, Burke has an ability to articulate the game and connect with audiences that has set her apart as one of the most powerful and prominent voices in sports. During the 2020 season, Reeve was named the WNBA Coach of the Year for the third time in her career. Women’s tennis is governed by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), which was founded in the year 1973. W Track & Field Apr 21, Apr 22, Apr 23, Apr 24 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday MDT TBA Gameday Info Arguably the greatest ultrarunner in the world, Dauwalter is known for pushing the limits of the human body and breaking down barriers for women in the sport. In August 2014, Roberts became the first woman leader of a major professional sports union in North America. She’s a WNBA champion, six-time WNBA All-Star and WNBA MVP award winner, but Ogwumike is making her presence felt off the court in an even bigger way. Former World No. In August, Dauwalter set out to run 486 miles from the start of the Colorado Trail in Durango to Denver in an attempt to break a record, but had to stop due to acute bronchitis. In 2019, Knight was one of the loudest voices in a group of more than 200 players who decided not to play for any professional league until better pay and working conditions were obtained—and she hasn’t stopped fighting since. As part of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, Knight is battling for the next generation of young athletes and embracing the responsibility that comes with her celebrity, particularly when it comes to social justice and gender equality efforts. A survivor of sexual assault and U.S. swimmer who won three gold medals and a silver at the 1984 Olympics, Hogshead-Makar has devoted her life to addressing sexual abuse in sports and fighting for gender equality. in late September in a category titled, “The Good Stuff,” the $800 answer read: “Ex-Sacramento State softball star Alyssa Nakken didn’t have to go far to be the first female coach in MLB with this NL team.” The question, of course, was, “Who are the San Francisco Giants?” The 30-year-old can now add Jeopardy! Buy at Girlfriend Collective. While the Hall of Famer retired from coaching, McGraw plans to use her platform to continue to fight for women’s equality and leadership. USA Triathlon; Women’s wrestling. Illinois could have a QB controversy brewing after Elise Menaker's completion during the school's spring game. In the years since and at age 76, King has not ceased her social change efforts but intensified them, continuing to fight for equal pay in sports, leading the work of the Women's Sports Foundation and serving as a mentor and role model for the next generation of women determined to create change. In May we saw Girlfriend Collective Paloma Sports Bra, Buy at Nordstrom. Under Reeve’s leadership, the Lynx have won four championships (2011, ’13, ’15 and ’17) and have compiled 232 wins over the last 10 seasons, including a 67.7% winning percentage (245–117) since 2010, which ranks first in league history. Govs. After winning a WNBA championship in 2019, Cloud decided to forgo the 2020 season in order to focus her efforts on social justice. King is the first female athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom; the first woman to have a namesake major sporting venue, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York; and, most recently, the International Tennis Federation reamed its annual team competition the “Billie Jean King Cup” in her honor. The youngest slalom champion in Olympic history; the youngest skier to earn 50 World Cup race wins; the first skier—of any gender—to earn $1 million in prize money in a single season; the girl who for years has worn an ABFTTB (“Always Be Faster Than the Boys”) decal  on her helmet: It’s no secret that Shiffrin dominates her sport like no other athlete. When she was hired by the Spurs in August 2014, Hammon became the first woman to be a full-time assistant coach in any of the four major men’s pro sports in North America. This season, in her third year in the WNBA since being drafted first overall, the Aces forward led her team to the No. craigslist provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, services, local community, and events But she’s also making a name for herself as a powerful voice and advocate for maternity rights for women everywhere. Since that trailblazing moment, Coyne Schofield has continued to make strides for women in hockey, leading the more than 200 members of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association and serving as a commentator on the San Jose Sharks broadcast team. She also founded Champion Women, a nonprofit that provides legal support for women and girls in sports, in areas such as sexual harassment, abuse and assault, LGBTQ discrimination, Title IX compliance and more. Reeve also has a long history of championing social justice issues, and, in recent months, she has continued to be outspoken and supportive of her players’ social justice efforts both on and off the court. Tennessee is the third state to pass such a law this year. Her client list of more than four dozen NBA players includes Dwyane Wade, Zion Williamson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Collin Sexton, and Tyler Johnson, among others. We fund groundbreaking research. In just a few years, her initiatives have helped dozens of women get football jobs at the pro and college levels. Following two decades at JPMorgan Chase, Davis joined the NHL in December 2017 and currently serves as the highest-ranking Black executive in the league. After serving as the NCAA’s director of law, policy and governance, Jackson became the WNBPA’s first executive director in 2016. There are 7 head coaches for women's teams. Many of the extramural teams have ranked nationally over the years. Women's Sports. Our mission is to enable all girls and women to reach their potential in sports and life. It’s no surprise that only a few weeks later, the relentless 35-year-old was back out on the mountain trails logging major miles. At age 34, Felix is one of the most decorated track and field athletes in history, with nine Olympic medals (six gold) in four appearances and 18 world championship medals, including 13 gold to surpass Usain Bolt’s previous record of 12. To continue the fight, Montaño created her nonprofit &Mother earlier this year, to help “break down the barriers that limit a woman’s choice to pursue and thrive in both career and motherhood,” and she has also used her platform to bring awareness to and combat racism in the sport of running.