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Mildred Ella "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias
Mildred Ella "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias becomes famous for her many athletic talents which include track-and-field, softball, diving, roller skating, bowling, and basketball. During the 1932 Olympics, she obtained two gold and one silver medal for track-and-field in Los Angeles. In 1945, she became the first woman to ever make the cut for the PGA tours for golf. Her influence paved way for more female athletes to be
advocated and acceptable. -
Sonja Henie, Ice Queen
As a well rounded athlete, Henie was mostly known for her remarkable acheivements at such a young age. She had won the Norwegian championship when she was ten years old, and competed in the Winter Olympics two months short of her twelfth birthday. From 1927 to 1936, Henie won ten consecutive titles and was the only skater to win three olympic gold medals. -
First African American Woman to Win the Gold
Alice Coachman becomes the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the high jump. Her acheivement led to the participation of African American and female athletes to compete in the Olympics. -
First Woman to Run the Boston Marathon
Roberta Louise "Bobbi" Gibb became the first woman to run the entire Boston Marathon in February 1966, challenging all prejudices on women's athletic capabilities. At the time, women could not participate because they were thought to be incapable of running long distances. However, Gibb proved to society that she was very capable by finishing in three hours, twenty-one minutes and forty seconds, where she was two-thirds ahead of the whole pack. -
Title IX
The Law came into effect and increased opportunity for women to coach and expanded equal rights for women to participate in collegiate sports. This plan advocated women for full participation in athletic roles and roles in administration, training, officiating, recuitment, development and promotion towards women leadership positions regardless of age, race, economic levels and ethnic origins. -
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Title IX Generation
The progression of Title IX taking effect to offer state championships for girls' sports http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyokXf3gyM4 -
Women’s Tennis Association
Billy Jean King founded the Women's Tennis Association, the Women's Sports Foundation (1974), Women's Sports Magazine (1974), and co-founded a coed World TeamTennis. She is one of the first few athletes who continues to lead the fight in equality for women and the GLBT community. Her victory against Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes in 1973 empowered women to effect the movement towards women's rights. -
Olympic Games
Women were finally allowed to compete in the marathon at the Olympic Games with Joan Benoit winning the event. She was the first female to finish the race with a lead by 22 miles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dFgH_vDh6E&list=HL1323070166&feature=mh_lolz -
Barcelona Track and Field
Jackie Joyner-Kersee was the greatest multi-event track-and-field athlete, regardless of gender. She's won three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals over four Olympic games. Kersee grew up during the time that Title IX was passed and seized the opportunity to become an outstanding athlete. -
First Woman on the WNBA
Sheryl Swoops became one of the first women to join the WBNA since its creation. She has won three gold Olympic medals with the USA basketball team and three MVP awards. She becomes the first woman to be considered the equivalent of "Michael Jordan" and has her own line with Nike called "Air Swoops." Overall, Swoops becomes a head figure towards women athletes in the 21st century. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woRRxR0UBKI
