Black female athletes continue to be some of the best players in the history of sports. From renowned names, like Florence Griffith Joyner to Simone Biles, Black athletes are showing out in the sports world. However, they often have to experience racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination. This acts as attempt to bar Black female athletes from striving further. It’s important to know the names and faces of famous Black female athletes to not only support them, but also inspire the next generation.
Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff, 20, is a tennis star. Gauff first went pro in 2018 at the ITF Women’s Circuit in Florida. Since then, the professional tennis player has secured nine WTA Tour singles titles, nine doubles titles and two WTA 1000 titles. In 2024, Guaff was ranked as the highest paid female athlete for a second consecutive year.
Althea Gibson
Althea Gibson was a pioneer in Black female athleticism. Gibson is most renowned for being the first Black woman to win a Grand Slam Event in 1956. The athlete’s tennis career proved to be great. In total, Gibson earned five Grand Slam singles tournaments before retiring from tennis in 1958. However, her athletic talents didn’t stop there. In 1964, Gibson switched gears by playing golf. That same year, she was the first African American woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association. Gibson paved the way for countless other Black women tennis players and athletes in general.
Erin Jackson
Before making Olympic history, Erin Jackson was an inline speedskater. However, in 2017, when Jackson ventured onto the ice, the rest was history. At the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, she was the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in speedskating.
Florence Griffith Joyner
Florence Griffith Joyner will be cemented into track and field history. Joyner, who also went by “Flo-Jo,” was a track and field athlete who won three gold and two silver medals in the Olympic Games. Joyner, who sadly passed away at 38 years old in 1988, is the fastest woman ever in history. People continue to remember Joyner for her immense talent, classy yet sporty style, and her long luxurious fingernails.
Serena Williams
With 23 Grand Slam women’s singles titles and four Olympic gold medals, Serena Williams is one of the best tennis players of all time. The athlete’s success runs in the family, as her older sister VenusWilliams is also a decorated tennis player. Raised in Compton, California, the sister duo first worked with their father Richard. Williams announced her retirement from tennis in 2022 and has since welcomed two daughters with husband and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. In 2024, Williams certified her influence in the beauty space with the release of her makeup brand Wyn Beauty, available at Ulta.
Sheryl Denise Swoopes
Sheryl Denise Swoopes is a trailblazer both on and off the basketball court. In 1997, Swoopes was the first player to be signed onto the WNBA. The organization was established just a year prior. Swoopes career included three WNBA MVP Titles and three Olympic Gold Medals. When it came to brand partnerships, Swoopes also broke barriers. In 1995, the athlete released the Nike Air Swoopes in collaboration with the footwear brand. On the deals front, this marked the first time a woman had a Nike shoe named after her.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is a hurdler and sprinter. In 2016, McLaughlin-Levrone qualified for the U.S. Olympic track team. At the time, she was just 16 years old. McLaughlin-Levrone has since earned gold in the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay for both the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.