By Lisa LarsenLIFE Photo Collection
From the beginning, sport was a male dominated world. The ancient Olympics was a chance for men to compete and demonstrate their strength, physical prowess, and agility. In fact, it's not until shockingly recently that women have even been allowed to compete at all.
However, in a relatively short period of time, women's sport has taken huge strides towards parity with the men, thanks in no small part to incredible pioneers and champions like those listed below.
By Martha HolmesLIFE Photo Collection
'Babe' Didrikson Zaharias
Zaharias was the first women to compete in a PGA event, the 1938 Los Angeles Open. Since then, only four other women have done the same. Zaharias was also an accomplished basketball, tennis, baseball, swimming, and track performer. A truly unique athlete.
By Richard MeekLIFE Photo Collection
Billie Jean King
As well as winning 39 major titles in her professional career and dominating her sport for over a decade, King also appeared in the legendary 1973 Battle of the Sexes matches. King played against former male champion Bobby Riggs, winning and raising the profile of women's game.
LIFE Photo Collection
Florence Griffith-Joyner
Known affectionately as Flo-Jo, Griffith-Joyner exploded onto the track and field stage in the 80s, revolutionising the sport and setting 100m and 200m records that still stand to this day. She won three gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics before retiring.
Gertrude Ederle (1925) by Underwood & UnderwoodSmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery
Gertrude Ederle
Not only was Gertrude Ederle an Olympic champion and world record holder in five events but in 1926 she became the first woman to swim the English Channel. This incredible feat earned her the nickname 'Queen of the Waves'.
Althea Gibson by Thomas McavoyLIFE Photo Collection
Althea Gibson
Gibson was both a professional golfer and international tennis star, becoming the first African American to win a Grand Slam title when she won the French Open in 1956. She followed it up with Wimbledon and the US Open the following year.
Alex Morgan (2019) by PA ImagesOriginal Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Megan Rapinoe
A true superstar of international football, Rapinoe has to date played nearly 200 games for the USWNT. She also has two World Cup winners medals, an Olympic title, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. She is also an advocate for numerous LGBTQIA+ organizations.
By Mark KauffmanLIFE Photo Collection
Women's sport has come a long way in a short space of time but there is still a lot more to do. If you would like to know more about women who have played an important role in shaping our culture, click here.
