Wilma Rudolph

Changing the Rules, Changing the World

Throughout sports history, standout athletes have left their marks. But for generations of women, reaching the pinnacle of performance also meant challenging the structures around them. Female sports pioneers have not only dominated the scoreboard, they’ve redefined what it means to lead, compete, and inspire. Their stories are not just about victories on the field or track but about systemic change and cultural shifts that continue to reverberate through the sports world and beyond.

This article explores the lives and legacies of female athletes who didn’t just play the game, they changed it.

Early Pioneers: Breaking Through Barriers

Before women’s sports had sponsors, stadiums, or prime-time television slots, a small group of women proved that athletic excellence had no gender.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias (Track & Field, Golf)

Babe Didrikson Zaharias was more than a great athlete. She was a force of nature. At the 1932 Olympics, she won two gold medals and a silver in track and field events, setting the world ablaze with her strength and versatility. After dominating the track, she turned to golf, still male-dominated at the time, and co-founded the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in 1950.

She went on to win 10 major golf championships, establishing herself as a pioneering figure who elevated women’s sports in multiple disciplines.

She once said, “You have to play by the rules, but you’ve got to be ferocious to win.” That mindset helped pave the way for generations of athletes across different sports.

Althea Gibson (Tennis)

In the 1950s, Althea Gibson became the first Black woman to compete in the highest tiers of professional tennis. She won five Grand Slam singles titles, including back-to-back victories at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 1957 and 1958. Gibson’s accomplishments were monumental not only because of her athletic skill, but because she succeeded during a time of widespread racial segregation. Her courage opened doors for future stars like Venus and Serena Williams.

Icons of the 20th Century: Redefining Excellence

As opportunities for women grew, so did the number of athletes willing to challenge convention. These figures did more than win, they transformed public opinion.

Wilma Rudolph (Track & Field)

Wilma Rudolph overcame polio and childhood paralysis to become one of the fastest women in history. At the 1960 Rome Olympics, she became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field during a single Games. Her victories brought international acclaim and made her a symbol of perseverance and resilience, especially for Black athletes growing up in a segregated America.

She once reflected, “The triumph can’t be had without the struggle.” Her journey proved that adversity can be the seed of greatness.

Billie Jean King (Tennis)

Billie Jean King didn’t just win titles, she changed the way the world saw female athletes. In 1973, she famously defeated Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes,” an exhibition watched by over 90 million people. That match was more than a sporting event; it was a cultural turning point. King went on to found the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and was instrumental in securing equal prize money for women at the U.S. Open in 1973. Her advocacy for gender equity remains one of the most influential campaigns in sports history.

Florence Griffith Joyner (Track & Field)

Known as "Flo Jo," Florence Griffith Joyner became a global phenomenon during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. She won three gold medals and one silver, setting world records in the 100m and 200m races—records that still stand today. Her athletic achievements were matched by her charisma and sense of style. From her signature one-legged bodysuits to her flamboyant nails, she turned track into a stage and proved that female athletes could be both strong and unapologetically themselves.

Modern-Day Legends: Expanding the Legacy

With more media exposure and professional opportunities, today’s elite athletes are continuing to raise the bar, and reshape expectations.

Mia Hamm (Soccer)

Mia Hamm became the face of women’s soccer in the 1990s and early 2000s. As a two-time FIFA World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Hamm’s leadership on the field helped drive the rise of the U.S. Women’s National Team as a global powerhouse. Off the field, she co-founded Angel City FC, one of the first majority-female-owned soccer franchises, ensuring future generations of women would have access to professional-level support and visibility.

Hamm once responded to criticism about her style by saying, “My coach said I ran like a girl. I said if he could run a little faster, he could too.”

Serena Williams (Tennis)

Serena Williams stands as one of the most dominant athletes of all time, with 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name. Her powerful serve, tactical intelligence, and fierce competitiveness redefined women’s tennis. But her influence goes far beyond the court. Williams has been a vocal advocate for racial equality, maternal health, and women’s empowerment. She challenged stereotypes about female athletes’ strength, appearance, and roles, making her an icon well beyond sports.

Simone Biles (Gymnastics)

With more than 30 combined Olympic and World Championship medals, Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history. She has performed skills so difficult that judges had to rewrite scoring guidelines to properly assess her routines. In 2021, Biles brought global attention to mental health in elite sports by choosing to withdraw from several Olympic events. Her decision was widely praised and shifted the conversation from performance alone to holistic well-being.

The Media’s Role in Women’s Sports

Despite decades of accomplishment, women’s sports still receive only a fraction of media attention. A 2021 report from the University of Southern California found that less than 5 percent of total sports media coverage was devoted to women’s competitions. This imbalance not only limits visibility but also impacts funding, sponsorship, and public support.

However, the landscape is beginning to shift. Networks like CBS and ESPN have increased their coverage of leagues like the WNBA and NWSL. Social media has also empowered athletes to control their narratives. Figures such as Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe, and Naomi Osaka use platforms like Instagram and Twitter to promote causes, build fan communities, and challenge outdated norms.

Megan Rapinoe once said, “It’s not about women’s sports versus men’s sports. It’s about giving us the same respect.” That call for equity is finally gaining traction.

Conclusion: Beyond the Records

The women featured in this article did not merely win medals—they redefined what is possible. Their legacies stretch far beyond their sports, touching education, civil rights, gender equality, and media representation. Their influence can be seen in every scholarship granted, every league founded, and every little girl who sees herself in an athlete on screen.

As women's sports continue to grow in viewership, revenue, and cultural relevance, the question is no longer whether female athletes belong. It is how far they can go with the support and visibility they have long deserved. The next wave of pacesetters is already rising. Thanks to the women who came before, they no longer need to ask for permission to be great.

Images from Wikimedia Commons

• Althea Gibson: Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs Division

• Billy Jean King: public domain

• Florence Griffith Joyner: public domain, Ronal Reagan Library

• Serena Williams, Creative Common Attribution2.0, Fyunck

• Simone Biles, public domain, Voice of America