Meet The 7 Trailblazing Women Who Are Shaping The Future Of Sports
Trailblazers who change the world for the better.
Photo: Instagram/dorisburkeknowsshoop
In recent years, women have made their presence felt in sports like never before. Athletes and advocates alike are stepping up to challenge the status quo, pushing for equality, better conditions and prioritizing mental health. From tennis courts to football fields, here are some remarkable women who are transforming the sports world for the better.
1. The Triumph of Mind Over Matter
Thanks to athletes like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka, conversations surrounding mental health in sports have become as common as discussing the score. Osaka's decision to withdraw from tennis to prioritize her well-being as her career ascended and Biles' battle with the "twisties" at the Summer Olympics brought mental health to the forefront. These women remind us that brains are just as important as brawn, and caring for one's mental health is essential.
2. The Queen of Advocacy - Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King has advocated for women in sports for over five decades. As part of the Original 9, a group of trailblazing women who put their tennis careers on hold to push for equal pay among men and women. She fought for equal pay among men and women in tennis and became the first woman in sports history to win $100,000 in a single year. King's ongoing advocacy work, including her role in the 50th-anniversary celebration of Title IX, inspires women to break through the glass ceiling in sports.
3. Allyson Felix: A Force for Change
Allyson Felix, the most decorated US track and field athlete in history, used her platform to challenge Nike's treatment of pregnant female athletes. Her departure from Nike for Athleta helped shine a spotlight on the need for better support for female athletes. Felix's advocacy led to policy changes at Nike, ensuring pregnant athletes are no longer penalized.
4. Nicole Lynn: Breaking Barriers in the NFL
Nicole Lynn shattered glass ceilings by becoming the first black woman to represent a top-five NFL draft pick. Her journey to success included navigating the challenges of motherhood while thriving in the male-dominated world of sports representation. In 2023 alone, she brokered multimillion-dollar deals and continues to inspire women to take their seats at the table.
5. Doris Burke: A Pioneer in Broadcasting
Doris Burke's groundbreaking career as a full-time NBA TV analyst and game analyst for the NBA Finals on network television paved the way for women in sports broadcasting. In August, ABC announced that Burke would become the first woman to serve as a game analyst on television for a championship final in one of the four major professional US sports leagues. Burke is the first woman awarded the Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Basketball Hall of Fame. Burke demonstrates that gender should never hinder success in sports media.
6. The US Women's National Team: Equal Pay Champions
The US Women's National Soccer Team, with four World Cup titles and six Olympic medals, filed a class-action lawsuit in 2019 for equal pay and working conditions. In February 2022, they reached a historic agreement with US Soccer, ensuring equal pay for friendlies and tournaments, including the World Cup. This landmark agreement represents a significant step towards gender equality in sports.
7. Jen Welter: Leading the Way in Coaching
Dr. Jen Welter broke new ground by becoming the first female coach in the NFL, serving as a linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals. Her trailblazing career opened doors for other women interested in coaching in the male- dominated world of professional football.
These remarkable women are changing the sports world for the better. Their dedication, advocacy and fearless pursuit of equality inspire women everywhere to break down barriers and pursue their dreams in sports.
Golden Hour
Simone Biles - will she or won’t she, why Chicago is waking up heartbroken and the microstate, which you’ve likely never heard of, that won a medal.
While diving deep into sports may not be your thing (ours either), it’s a perfect foray into a conversation and making a connection.
Something for everyone,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
All eyes are again on Simone Biles, with the individual events (uneven bars, vault, floor, etc.) beginning on Sunday. In her Instagram stories, she said she is struggling with the 'twisties' – her "mind and body are simply not in sync." She has been very open about her struggle and even answered questions in her stories from fans about the twisties. There has been no word if she will compete in any of those events. HANG IN THERE
Overtime
Hearts broke all over Chicago last night when news that the Chicago Cubs (MLB – Major League Baseball) traded away fan-favorite Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo and his BFF, Kris Bryant, played together on the Cubs since 2015 and were part of the team that broke the Cubs' championship curse. The two, dubbed Bryzzo, are known for picking up fan's dinner tabs and being all-around good guys. They will now be rivals as Rizzo was traded to the Yankees ahead of the MLB trade deadline. WELCOME TO NEW YORK??
Sideline stat
History continues to be made in Tokyo. This time, San Marino claims the title as the least populated country to win an Olympic medal at the Summer or Winter Games, a record previously held by Lichtenstein. Alessandra Perilli won the bronze medal in women's trap shooting for San Marino, which is in Northern Italy. The microstate has a population of around 34,000. Their entire population wouldn't even fill Wrigley Field. SMALL COUNTRY, BIG DREAMS
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday, with her teammates, including Simone Biles, in the stands, American gymnast Suni Lee, 18, became the fifth straight gold medal winner for the US in the Women's Gymnastics All-Around. Lee has a great story herself. She is the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics. Her dad, who has since been paralyzed from a freak accident, built her a balance beam in their backyard so she could practice.
FYI, track and field coverage continues to ramp up as swimming and gymnastics start to wrap up.
What to watch
The NBA (National Basketball Association) Draft was last night, and the new name, image, likeness (NIL) rules may have already made an impact as 88 early entry candidates (players who still have eligibility) withdrew from the 2021 draft. Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State University was drafted in the No. 1 spot to Detroit Pistons. However, the headlines were the blockbuster trade of veteran Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook, like new teammate LeBron James, is involved in the Hollywood movie scene. The NBA pre-season begins in early October. HOOP DREAMS