Alice Coachman Davis

Alice Coachman Davis (1923 – 2014), a track and field Athlete, was the first American female to win the high jump Olympic Goal Medal at the 1948 games in London and was later honored by Presidents Truman and Carter for her contributions to sports history.

Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson (1927–2003), a golfer, tennis player, and Hall of Famer, was the first to compete at the U.S. National Championships, now the U.S. Open in 1950. She later won Wimbledon and the U.S. National Championships in 1957, inspiring stars like Venus and Serena Williams.

Wilma Goldean Rudolph

Wilma Goldean Rudolph (1940–1994), a track and field athlete, was the first American woman to win three gold medals at a single Olympic Games in Rome in 1960. A celebrated civil rights pioneer, she promoted education, equality, and opportunities for young female athletes.

Charlaine Vivian Stringer

Charlaine Vivian Stringer (b. 1948), a basketball player, coach, educator and basketball Hall of Famer, was the first coach of men or women to lead three different teams to the Final Four: Cheyney University 1982, University of Iowa 1993, and Rutgers University, 2000 and 2007.

Debra Janice Thomas

Debra Janice Thomas (b. 1967), an ice skater and physician, was the first to win the women’s title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championship in 1986 and later became a respected medical doctor.

Catana Starks

Catana Starks (b. 1944), an educator and coach at Tennessee State University, became the first to coach a men’s NCAA Division I Golf Team in 1986, earning hall of fame induction.

Bernadette Locke Mattox

Bernadette Locke Mattox (b. 1958), a basketball player and coach, was the first woman Division I men’s assistant coach at Kentucky in 1990, and later led the women’s program to success.

Gabrielle Douglas

Gabrielle (Gabby) Christina Victoria Douglas (b. 1995), a gymnast and athlete, was the first to win the summer 2012 Olympic Gold Individual All-Around and team gold medal in London.