The world of sports has been shaped by many talented and inspirational female athletes, coaches, and officials. One of the most prominent figures is Billie Jean King, a former professional tennis player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female players of all time. King's career highlights include winning 39 Grand Slam titles, 20 Wimbledon titles, and four US Open titles. She was also a vocal advocate for gender equality in sports and founded the Women's Tennis Association in 1973 to promote equal pay and opportunities for female players. Her famous "Battle of the Sexes" match against Bobby Riggs in 1973 was a watershed moment for women's sports and helped to inspire a new generation of female athletes.
Another influential female figure in sports is Pat Summitt, who was a legendary women's basketball coach at the University of Tennessee. Summitt was the winningest coach in NCAA Division I basketball history with 1,098 wins and led her team to eight national championships. Off the court, she was a trailblazer for women's sports and a strong advocate for gender equality. She was the first NCAA coach, male or female, to earn $1 million a year and was also an advocate for Alzheimer's research, after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2011. Summitt's leadership and impact on women's sports will continue to be felt for years to come.