Women around the world are continuously making strides in various industries, especially in sports. In a field that showcases immense human strength and steely mental toughness, women are surely taking up their space, proving that they too have the agility, stamina, and power that can conquer battles at any stage.
But more importantly, in today's society, when it's easy to just mail it in and not give a care, many women, including athletes and sports personalities, are helping to change the world for the better with their positive influence and far-reaching advocacies.
Yuka Saso
Saso first burst into national consciousness in 2018 when she won two gold medals in the Asian Games. But that was just the start for the Japanese-Filipino golfer. She made an even bigger name for herself when she became the champion of the 2021 US Women’s Open—making her the first Filipino ever to win a major golf title.
Some criticized the soft-spoken Saso when she chose to represent Japan instead of the Philippines. It was a difficult decision for her. But she showed that women can always choose their own path, dictate their destiny, and not be confined to anything. You do you, Yuka.
Mau Belen
The recent years have been progressive for women in sports, especially in the Philippines, and Belen is a testament to this. In 2021, she became the first female coach in PBA history. As an assistant coach for the TNT Tropang Giga and head coach of the 3x3 team, the former hooper is having a ball.
She remains the only female coach in the male-dominated league, but Belen is looking to open the doors for more women. She has persistently called on male leaders to be allies in providing equal opportunities for women in basketball. She knows how difficult it is to break through, and now, she wants to pay it forward. Talk about a great assist.
Bea De Leon
Speaking of paying it forward, De Leon was grateful for the athletic scholarship she received as a volleyball player at Ateneo de Manila University. Years after she graduated, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans middle blocker decided to repay the blessing by starting her own scholarship program with her alma mater.
Raphaella Ayen Retuta, an avid fan of BDL, passed her entrance exam but did not qualify for a scholarship program due to limited slots. She shared her story on Twitter and De Leon came to the rescue. A model student-athlete, the PVL star knows that quality education is important. How many local athletes can say that a scholarship program is named after them? Not many.
Philippine Women's National Football Team
Almost nobody paid attention to the Filipinas until 2021 when they made history after beating Chinese-Taipei in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The nail-biting shootout win earned them a spot in the FIFA World Cup, giving the country its first appearance in arguably the most prestigious event in all of sports. The magnitude of that feat can't be overstated.
This also fueled the Filipina booters to make even more history, as they also won the country's first-ever football crown after topping the AFF Women's Championship. They continue to break the glass ceiling for female athletes, inspiring young girls to believe that they too can achieve the impossible if they dare to dream.
Hidilyn Diaz
Since she was 17 years old, Diaz has been giving many "firsts" for the Philippines. But of course, the most memorable of them all was when she finally broke the country's gold medal drought in the Summer Games after conquering the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She achieved this on her fourth consecutive appearance in the quadrennial meet—the first Filipino athlete to do so.
It was an iconic win, as she showed the entire world that women can truly carry anything. Today, she continues to be an inspiration, regardless of gender. She remains steadfast in her push to motivate other national athletes and demand better treatment from the government. She's not afraid to speak up when needed. No amount of bashers can silence her. After all, she can always just wave her gold medal to shut them up.
Simone Biles
Biles experienced being a foster kid when she was three years old. During that time, her mother lost custody of Biles and her siblings due to drug problems. They were in and out of foster homes. But that didn't stop the ultra-talented girl from making something out of herself. She worked her way to become a highly successful gymnast, with four Olympic gold medals to boot.
Today, the 24-year-old Biles consistently volunteers for non-profit organizations that focus on supporting foster children. Being the most decorated gymnast in Gymnastics World Championships history with 25 medals, she uses her experience to empower the youth, give them a safe space, and teach them that their past does not define their future.
Naomi Osaka
Osaka displayed great strength and deep focus when she became a Grand Slam champion at 20 years old after her stellar win in the 2018 US Open. But she also showed that even athletes who are at the top of their game experience mental health issues. And she's not shy about it.
In 2021, Osaka withdrew from the French Open to focus on self-care and her mental wellness. While some critics disparaged her for not competing, the tennis star knows that her well-being is more important than any trophy. This has led her to become an advocate for mental health and partner with various organizations, while also being vocal on other social issues. The four-time Grand Slam champion and soon-to-be-mom is indeed helping destigmatize mental health in sports.
Maya Moore
While she's not an active athlete anymore after retiring last January, the list won’t be complete without Moore. The four-time WNBA champion first took a hiatus from basketball in 2019 to focus on social justice issues and help overturn the 50-year sentence of Jonathan Irons, who was convicted of burglary and assault.
After a long battle, Irons, who was proven innocent by Moore's legal team, was released in 2020. They got married that same year. Despite still being at her absolute peak, the former WNBA MVP and two-time Olympic gold medalist, gave up her career to completely focus on advocating for reforms in the justice system. She said she hopes people would see her as “someone who looks beyond the craft and tries to value people.” A true legend.
Megan Rapinoe
Not much to say about Rapinoe—a FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, two-time FIFA World Cup champion, Golden Ball awardee, and one of TIME Magazine’s 2023 Women of the Year. Really, nothing much.
Seriously though, Rapinoe has been at the forefront of advocating for women in sports, especially in leading the fight for equal pay. Last September, she and the rest of the US Women's National Soccer Team achieved a pivotal victory when they signed a historic collective bargaining agreement with their male counterparts that guarantees identical pay structures. Rapinoe is also a leading voice in pushing for social justice and abortion rights. She has a lot to say and the whole world should listen.
Serena Williams
There’s no question that Williams has been outstanding throughout her tennis career. With 23 Grand Slam titles under her belt, many consider her the greatest athlete of all time. But more than her trailblazing career, she is also a trailblazing philanthropist.
Williams has long been a strong supporter of diversity and gender equality. She's one of the leading voices in the Black Lives Matter movement and a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community. She also founded Serena Ventures, a capital fund that promotes diversity-led businesses. Last month, she was recognized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for “high achievement in athletics along with their pursuit of social justice, civil rights, and community involvement." #SerenaStanForLife