It's Women's History Month and we are celebrating some of the most inspirational female athletes in sports history. Here are 12 sports quotes that show these athletes' drive, passion, and leadership.
1. “Many people say that I'm the best women's football player in the world. I don't think so, and because of that, someday I might be.”
– Mia Hamm
The United States Women's Soccer Team legend Mia Hamm is starting off our list. Humility is an underrated part of being a star athlete. Hamm has every reason to not be humble, as she is a 2x World Cup champion, 2x Olympic champion, and a world record setter in international goals scored. Nevertheless, she was still not happy with where she was as a player. She always knew she had more to give.
2. “Give yourself permission to shoot for something that seems totally beyond your grasp. You may be surprised at your capabilities.”
– Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick is a former professional racing driver from the United States. She became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race, won the first pole position in the NASCAR Cup Series, and had the highest-ever finish by a woman in the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500. Her quote emphasizes how scary it can be to embrace your dreams. Failure is always at risk, but you might go farther than you ever imagined.
3. “It's easy to lose sight of how far you've come, but I've been prioritizing trying to live in the moment and enjoy the journey.”
– Naomi Osaka
Young tennis player Naomi Osaka has always been a supporter of mental health and prioritizing yourself. Osaka found herself with a lot of pressure on her at a young age after defeating the icon Serena Williams herself at the age of 21. It's easy to get caught up in the pressures of sports, but Osaka's quote tells us to take advantage of the small moments and enjoy every moment.
4. “I'm not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I'm the first Simone Biles.”
– Simone Biles
Everyone knows the great Simone Biles. The American gymnast has easily secured herself as one of the greatest of all time. However, because she is known as one of the greats, she gets compared to other greats. It's great to have inspiration and idols to make you work harder, but you will always have your own path and be your own athlete. Take what you can learn from other athletes and make them your own.
5. “We all know how tough it is to be an athlete. But pressure is a privilege if you want to be a professional athlete.”
– Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King is probably one of the most common names you hear when it comes to powerful female athletes. The former tennis player is a huge advocate for gender equality in sports. Her quote emphasizes that the best of the best have the most pressure put on them. If you want to make it to the top, you have to be prepared to handle the pressure.
6. “Believe me, the reward is not so great without the struggle.”
– Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph was known as the “fastest woman in the world” while she was at the peak of her track and field career. As a Black woman competing in the Olympics in the 1950s and 60s, her journey was certainly not without struggle. Add on the fact that she survived polio and scarlet fever as a child and was told she would never walk again, and her journey is even more impressive. Rudolph proved every person who doubted her wrong. Winning gold at the Olympics must have tasted even sweeter.
7. “I'm scared of failure all the time, but I'm not scared enough to stop trying.”
– Ronda Rousey
As a professional wrestler, failing for Ronda Rousey can be a big risk. However, if you really love doing something and want to be great, you have to take those risks. Failure is going to be part of the process but you can't let it get in the way of where you want to go.
8. “We all have obstacles. The feeling of satisfaction comes by overcoming something.”
– Marta
Marta is one of the best women's soccer players to ever play the game. Originally from Brazil, Marta has always been an advocate for equality in the sport around the world. She is a 6x FIFA Women's Player of the Year, set the all-time World Cup goal-scoring record with 17 to her name, and became the first player to score in five different World Cups. It isn't easy to get over obstacles, but overcoming them makes everything so much more rewarding.
9. “Everyone talks about age, but it's not about age. It's about work ethic. Winning never gets old.”
– Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie is one of the best basketball players to ever play the game. She played in the WNBA for 12 years and became a 3x WNBA MVP, 8x NBA All-Star, and a 4x Olympic gold medalist. Lisa Leslie had a long and successful career. Yes, things like size and athleticism can give athletes a leg up, but the most important thing you can do is keep working hard.
10. “I really think a champion is defined not by their wins, but how they can recover when they fall.”
– Serena Williams
Serena Williams will always be remembered as one of the best athletes ever. She was ranked number one in the world in singles for 319 weeks – 186 of those weeks being consecutive. Williams won 23 Grand Slam titles and is the only player to complete a career Golden Slam in singles and doubles. She is remembered for her wins, not her losses. However, Serena Williams sure did fail. Nevertheless, she learned from each one and became a better athlete each time.
11. “Here's how I'm going to beat you. I'm going to outwork you. That's it. That's all there is to it.”
– Pat Summitt
Pat Summitt is known as one of the best college basketball coaches of all time. She was known for her fierce dedication to the game. Summitt got to know each and every one of her players and knew what coaching styles worked best for them, and she always knew her opponents very well. She knew what it took to win and she was going to work as hard as she could to do it.
12. “All you need is the courage to believe in yourself and put one foot in front of the other.
– Kathrine Switzer
Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as a registered athlete. Many things don't seem possible. However, when you put your mind to it, you can do more than you think. The hardest part is getting yourself to try.
