Over the last fifty years, the gap between men and women in sports has slowly gotten smaller. Women such as Ilona Maher, a US Rugby star, Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, and Serena Williams, who has 23 career grand slams, have expanded what it means to be a woman in sports. Since 2012, women have participated in all categories of the Olympics, according to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation.
The Olympics came to America in 1896, but women were not allowed to participate until 1920, with a special Women’s Olympics in the United States. In the 1900 Olympic games held in Paris, Hélène de Pourtalès of Switzerland became the first woman to compete at the Olympic Games and was the first female Olympic champion in a 1-2 sailing event. Charlotte Cooper, from the United Kingdom, became the first female individual champion by winning the women’s singles tennis competition on July 11, 1900, according to the International Olympic Committee.
The idea of a “rough” girl was born out of the Harlem Renaissance and continued through to World War Two. During this time, the industrial softball leagues built a new face for the ‘rough’ girl — instead of just being seen as a woman, they had the new ability to do things they never had before. Rosie the Riveter created this idea. Born out of this was the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Though all-white, and requiring strict dress codes and restrictions on women, it was seen as radical in the era.
Alice Coachman was the first black woman from any country to win an olympic gold medal. She grew up in the segregated South, in Albany, Georgia. In the 1948 Olympic games held at Wembley Stadium in London, Coachman won the gold medal in the high jump. Simone Biles, at 16, secured two gold medals at the Antwerp Championship. With a floor move named after her, The Biles, she was born for success. Simone Biles has 11 gold medals to her name and 30 World Championship medals, according to the International Olympic Committee.
During the 2024 Paris Olympics, many got to know US Rugby player Ilona Maher. Maher, a two-time Olympian, serves as a role model for young female athletes who may not think they can pursue sports.
Women have come a long way in sports, but there is still room for growth. Tune into the WNBA, or watch women in the Olympics, and support the little girls in your life that want to pursue sports.
