For over a century, women have fought tirelessly for equal rights. What we now consider basic freedoms—such as driving or voting—were once unimaginable, won through the relentless efforts of courageous women who refused to let societal restrictions dictate their lives. The journey has been both exhausting and inspiring, marked by significant victories along the way. To honor these trailblazers and recognize the work still ahead, the United Nations officially designated March 8th as International Women’s Day in 1975.

One of the most visible areas where progress has been made is in women’s sports. Long overdue, the spotlight is finally beginning to shine on female athletes, moving toward the ultimate goal of true equality with their male counterparts. These successes have been driven by fearless women who have confronted inequality head-on, ensuring that future generations won’t have to, borrowing Taylor Swift’s words, “run as fast as they can, wondering if they would get there quicker if they were a man.”

As we commemorate this day, we celebrate those who paved the way by sharing their stories and honoring their legacy. Here are some of the remarkable female athletes who have changed the game.

Kathrine Switzer – Marathon Running

In 1967, Kathrine Switzer made history as the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. At a time when women were barred from participating, she defied the rules and persevered despite multiple attempts to force her off the course. Her activism ignited a global conversation about women in long-distance running, ultimately leading to the inclusion of the women’s marathon in the 1984 Olympics.

Billie Jean King – Tennis

No discussion of gender equality in sports is complete without Billie Jean King. A true advocate for female athletes, she famously took on former world No. 1 Bobby Riggs in the iconic “Battle of the Sexes” match after he claimed women’s tennis could never be as competitive as men’s. She not only won but proved once and for all that female athletes deserve equal recognition. Beyond the court, Billie was a founding member of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and a driving force behind equal prize money at Grand Slam tournaments. Her advocacy led the U.S. Open to become the first major tennis event to offer equal pay for men and women.

Florence Griffith-Joyner - Track and Field

Known as Flo-Jo, Florence Griffith-Joyner was a record-breaking sprinter who redefined what it meant to be a female athlete. Competing in a male-dominated sport as a Black woman, she shattered stereotypes with both her style and unparalleled speed. She not only became the fastest woman in history but also proved there is not a single mold that female athletes should fit, and femininity will never define the level of athleticism a woman can reach. Her success elevated women’s track and field, increasing media coverage, sponsorships, and financial opportunities for female athletes.

Manon Rhéaume - Ice Hockey

Manon gave a new definition to breaking the ice when she became the first woman to play in an NHL game—an incredible achievement that discredited the ridiculous notion that hockey was a male sport. She joined the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992 during their first season in the league and had an impressive run during the training camp. She then went on to play a period during one of the preseason games. The next year, she joined another preseason game with Tampa Bay. While she wasn’t offered a permanent contract, the impact she made was inspiring to young female athletes who had at some point felt rejection due to their gender. Manon was a true resilient figure who proved every door that was closed on her only motivated her to push harder until she eventually broke through.

Megan Rapinoe - Soccer

Megan has been an advocate for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights—a vocal force demanding pay equality for women in soccer. She was at the front of the USWNT’s lawsuit against US Soccer to demand equal pay, taking the stand to express what every athlete in the team felt: "We are sick of being disrespected. We are sick of being dismissed. We are done waiting. Equal pay, now." After years of legal battles, the Women’s National Team won, securing equal pay for both the men's and women’s national teams. The victory was a huge step for gender pay equity in sports.

Besides this achievement, she has also spoken out about LGBTQ+ rights, coming out in 2012 as gay and advocating to normalize a wider representation in sports, including the open rejection of President Trump’s policies in 2019 and rejecting a visit to the White House.

Serena and Venus Williams - Tennis

Carrying on Billie Jean King’s legacy, the sister duo continued the fight for equal prize money in Grand Slam tournaments. Venus fought for equal pay at Wimbledon, giving a speech to the Grand Slam board and writing an op-ed in The Times of London. In 2007, her efforts finally succeeded when Wimbledon announced equal prize money for men and women.

They have spoken out about the racism and sexism they have encountered throughout their impressively successful careers and called out the "double standards" in how male and female athletes are treated in terms of emotions, fines, and penalties. All the noise and outside negativity has never impacted their game though, leading them to become the first Black women to be ranked No. 1 in the world. Today, their powerful careers have become an inspiration to a new generation of Black female tennis players, such as Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff, and Sloane Stephens.

Alice Coachman - Track & Field

Alice was the prime example of resilience and determination. In 1948, she became the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal, shattering racial and gender barriers along the way. Growing up, she wasn’t allowed to train in the white-only facilities, which led her to train on dirt roads with homemade equipment. In an era that discouraged women–especially Black ones–from participating in sports, she rejected those social impositions to keep training and become a dominating force in the field. Her gold medal allowed her to receive endorsement deals, making her the first Black female athlete to receive one—a trailblazing moment for women in sports marketing.

This list represents only a fraction of the women who have stepped onto fields, courts, tracks, and rinks, regardless of what was waiting for them on the other side. To think that what is routinely normal nowadays was once forbidden seems impossible to believe, but it’s thanks to fearless women like these that we can carry on with their legacy. On a day like this, we commemorate their efforts and remember that their impact shall not go unnoticed, but rather serve as the motivation to keep pushing forward and opening up our own paths.

International Women’s Day: Commemorating Trailblazing Female Athletes