Trailblazers of Sport: Celebrating Legendary Female Athletes
The United States is full of female athlete trailblazers who have left their mark on history, though some of their stories fly under the radar. As a female-owned and operated small business, we’re dedicating our last blog of 2024 to honoring these pioneers. These are some of the women who paved the way for equality in sports and laid the foundation for generations to come. Let’s celebrate their stories and their enduring impact.
Billie Jean King, April, 2, 1977, Family Circle Magazine Cup tournament at Hilton Head Island. Kathy Willens/Associated Press.
BILLIE JEAN KING | Tennis
November 22, 1943
Billie Jean King is a name synonymous with equality in sports. She cemented her legacy not only as a tennis legend with 39 Grand Slam titles but also as a relentless advocate for gender equality. Her famous 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” victory against Bobby Riggs wasn’t just a thrilling match—it was a statement about women’s capabilities in sports.
But perhaps her greatest victory came off the court. After winning the 1972 US Open, she noticed she earned $15,000 less than the men’s champion. King refused to play the following year unless prize money was equal. Her bold stand led to the US Open becoming the first major tennis tournament to offer equal prize money for men and women in 1973—a seismic shift in the world of sports.
She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987, but her impact continues to resonate far beyond the tennis world.
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
NANCY LIEBERMAN | Basketball
July 1, 1958
Nancy Lieberman broke barriers on and off the court. At just 17 years old, she became the youngest player to join the U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team, earning a silver medal at the Montreal 1976 Games. She later made history in 1986 as the first woman to play in a men’s professional basketball league, competing with the Springfield Fame in the United States Basketball League.
When the WNBA was founded in 1997, Lieberman joined as the oldest player in the league at 39 with the Phoenix Mercury. She didn’t stop there—at age 50, she returned for a short stint with the Detroit Shock in 2008, proving age is just a number. Today, she continues to inspire as a broadcaster for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.
MILDRED ELLA “BABE” DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS | Golf (& More!)
June 26, 1911 – September 27, 1956
Babe Didrikson Zaharias was a once-in-a-lifetime athlete, excelling across multiple sports. She was the first woman to compete in a PGA event in 1938 and went on to win 10 major LPGA championships.
Her versatility was unmatched. At the 1932 Summer Olympics, she won two gold medals and a silver in track and field. She also dominated basketball, baseball, and swimming—her talents knew no bounds. When asked if there was anything she didn’t play, she quipped, “Yeah, dolls.”
Her nickname, “Babe,” was a nod to Babe Ruth, inspired by her childhood baseball prowess. Zaharias didn’t just break records—she shattered expectations.
Olympics 1988 Florence Griffith Joyner is a photograph by PCN Photography
FLORENCE GRIFFITH-JOYNER | Track & Field
December 21, 1959 – September 21, 1998
Known as “Flo Jo,” Florence Griffith-Joyner is still the fastest woman in history. Her world records in the 100m (10.49 seconds) and 200m (21.34 seconds), set in 1988, remain unbroken more than 30 years later.
At the Seoul Olympics that year, she dazzled the world by winning gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, as well as a silver in the 4x400m relay. Her iconic style—flowing hair, vibrant outfits, and sparkling nails—made her a standout, but it was her raw talent and determination that left an indelible mark on the track and field world.
Courtesy of Manon Rheaume for a Sports Illustrated article: “Almost 30 Years After Breaking the Ice, Manon Rhéaume Looks at What’s Next for Women’s Hockey”
MANON RHEAUME | Hockey
February 24, 1972
Manon Rhéaume made history in 1992 when she became the first woman to play in the NHL, suiting up as a goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning in a preseason game. Her groundbreaking achievement was a monumental moment in the male-dominated sport of hockey.
She also represented Canada on the international stage, winning a silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics. Rhéaume’s courage to break barriers has inspired countless young women to dream big in hockey and beyond.
Julie Krone, Monmouth Park, from the series "Racing Days"
JULIE KRONE | Horse Racing
July 24, 1963
Julie Krone is a legend in horse racing, becoming the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race in 1993. Despite facing numerous injuries throughout her career—including broken ribs and muscle tears—her resilience was unmatched.
In 2003, she returned to racing and became the first woman to win a Breeders’ Cup race, solidifying her place in history. Her determination earned her the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award and a spot on USA Today’s list of the 10 toughest athletes.
A Legacy of Courage and Equality
These remarkable women changed the game—literally and figuratively. From Billie Jean King’s fight for equal pay to Flo Jo’s enduring records, each of these trailblazers has left a legacy that transcends their respective sports. They broke barriers, shattered stereotypes, and showed the world that gender is no limit to greatness.
As we look toward the future, we owe it to these pioneers to continue advocating for equality in sports and beyond. Their stories remind us that progress comes from boldness, resilience, and the refusal to accept the status quo.
To the next generation of female athletes: the path has been laid, but the journey is far from over. Keep running, skating, swinging, and dreaming big—you’re standing on the shoulders of giants.
We will “see” you all next year!
THE BPT TEAM