Vise Library celebrates Women's History Month: Women in Sports

These women showed that women can be extraordinary athletes.

Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm is considered one of the greatest athletes ever.  She scored more goals than any male or female soccer player.  At the age of 15, she was the youngest woman to play for the U.S. national team.  She played in three Olympic games and won two gold medals and one silver medal.  During her playing days, she also won two World Cup titles.  She is one of only two women on FIFA's list of the 125 greatest soccer players. Nike's largest building at their headquarters is named after Mia.  After retiring from soccer, she started a foundation that focuses on families that need marrow donations.  She also promotes sports for young women.

• Mia Hamm in the Vise Library: To read about Mia  and other talented athletes, checkout the electronic book Great Athletes by clicking on the "links" tab on this page.

Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick started racing IndyCars.  She was only the fourth woman to race in the INDY 500.  She was the first woman to ever lead that race.  In 2005, she was named Rookie of the Year.  In 2008, she became the first woman ever to win an IndyCar race. Earlier this year she won the pole position at the Daytona 500. She was the first woman to accomplish this feat and finished 8th in the race.

Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson was a very successful tennis player.  She was the first African American woman to win the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open.  She became the first African American to be named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press.  She was the first woman to win a Tennis Grand Slam title.  

Sources Consulted:
http://www.athletesforhope.org/miahamm.html
http://www.biography.com/people/danica-patrick-201312
http://www.altheagibson.com/biography