March is Women's History Month, so it is important to recognize the stories of women who have come before us–especially for female athletes. For decades–and even centuries–women continue to fight to be seen as equals to our male counterparts. We have become activists and have fought tooth and nail to be respected on a competitive level and although we have a ways to go to achieve true equality, plenty of progress has been made thus far.

Our predecessors, the people who have advocated for our rights and fought to be seen as equals, are the individuals to whom we should continue to pay tribute. Without them, sports would not be what they are today. If you are a collegiate athlete, especially a female athlete, odds are you wouldn't be competing if it weren't for their sacrifices. 

Here are eight historical moments in women's sports that we all can learn a little something from: 

Toni Stone Enters the Big Leagues (1953)

Toni Stone was one of the first players to join a big-league professional baseball team. Some may know her as the “female Jackie Robinson,” but she made a name for herself as she showed the world her capabilities and signed with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League in 1953 as a second baseman. 

Wilma Rudolph Wins Gold (1960) 

During Wilma Rudolph's second go at the summer Olympics in 1960, she inspired female and Black athletes around the world by demonstrating just how extraordinary we can be. During her time at the Olympics in Rome, Italy, this phenomenal track star won 3 gold medals in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4×100-meter relay. At the time, she achieved the title of the fastest woman alive and became the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympic game. 

Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs Take the Court (1973)

During a battle of the sexes match in 1973, former number 1 tennis player Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs, one of the best male tennis players in the world, in a head-to-head battle. Following this match, King proceeded to have an impressive career–throughout her time in the pros, King won 39 major titles and was the oldest Grand Slam semi-finalist in history at 39 years old.  

Related: Celebrating Women's History Month: 5 Trailblazers in Women's Sports

Nancy Lieberman Joins the Pros (1986) 

In 1986, Nancy was the first woman to play in a men's pro basketball league. Before she joined the Springfield Fame of the United States Basketball League, she earned a spot on the 1976 U.S. Olympic team for the Montreal Games at 17 years old. 

Julie Krone Wins a Triple Crown (1993) 

In 1993, Julie Krone became the first and only, as of now, female jockey to win a Triple Crown race at the Belmont Stakes. Throughout her career, she earned 3,704 wins, was the first woman inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame and was an honoree in the National Women's Hall of Fame and Cowgirl Hall of Fame. 

The Serena Slam (2003) 

Professional tennis player Serena Williams has proven herself time and time again as one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen. She has managed to hold all four grand slam titles, with the final winner being in 2003 after she won the Australian Open. This win made Serena the defending champion in all major tournaments at once, making her one of five women to hold this distinction. Throughout her career, she won 39 grand slam titles between 1998-2017 and was ranked number 1 in singles by the Women's Tennis Association. 

Related: Women Who Have Made Sports History: Donna Lopiano 

Mia Hamm Gets Inducted Into the World Football Hall of Fame (2013) 

Mia Hamm has had an unparalleled career as a soccer player after suiting up for the Women's U.S. National Team for the first time at age 15. Hamm continued to break records and make history as she played a big part in the national team winning the 1999 World Cup for the first time on home soil. Hamm has persisted to be an inspiration to young girls around the world and earned the honor of being the first woman inducted into the World Football Hall of Fame in 2013. 

Ronda Rousey gets inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame (2018)

American wrestler, former judoka, actress, and mixed martial artist Ronda Rousey is the first woman to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Throughout her career, she was the first woman to earn an Olympic medal in Judo during the 2008 Olympics, the first female fighter to sign with the UFC, held the record for the most UFC title defenses by a woman and was the only woman to headline a pay-per-view event for both the UFC and WWE. Today you can find Rousey on WWE, where she fights and performs on Smackdown. 

With so much to celebrate and honor, we must continue to think of these stories as we compete in our prospective sports and cheer on our favorite athletes. As women and athletes, we have come a long way–but there is still much more we can do to encourage equality and equity within women's athletics. Let us remember these stories and use them to move forward to create our own history and pave the way for the next generation of remarkable athletes. 

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Image Credit: Twitter/MMA Fighting

* Originally published on March 27, 2023, by Daesha Harper