American Women Athletes | Smithsonian Institution

Skip to main content

These pioneering and high-achieving athletes demonstrate that women and girls have the grit and skills to make a mark in the world of sports and strike a blow for women's equality.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Photograph of Althea Gibson
National Museum of American History Tennis Dress, worn by Billie Jean King during the "Battle of the Sexes"
National Museum of African American History and Culture Serena and Venus
National Portrait Gallery Debi Thomas
National Museum of American History U.S. National Team Soccer Jersey, worn by Mia Hamm
National Portrait Gallery Eleanor Holm and Helene Madison
National Museum of American History Ice Skating Costume, worn by Kristi Yamaguchi
Smithsonian American Art Museum Mary Lou Retton (Gymnast) and Coach Karolyi, McDonald's Cup, Madison Square Garden, New York City, from the series Shooting for the Gold
National Portrait Gallery Dawn Staley
Smithsonian American Art Museum U.S. Women's Basketball Team, Pan-American Games, Caracas, Venezuela, from the series Shooting for the Gold
National Museum of American History Babe Didrikson postcard from the 1932 Summer Olympic Games
National Museum of African American History and Culture Chromogenic print of Gabby Douglas performing
National Museum of African American History and Culture Serena Williams, Miami Beach 2003
National Museum of African American History and Culture Membership card to the American Tennis Association for Althea Gibson
National Museum of African American History and Culture Practice jersey worn by Cheryl Miler
National Portrait Gallery Venus and Serena Williams
National Portrait Gallery Jackie Joyner-Kersee
National Portrait Gallery Gertrude Ederle
National Portrait Gallery Chris Evert
National Museum of American History South Bend Blue Sox Baseball Dress, worn by Betsy Jochum
National Portrait Gallery "Babe" Didrikson
National Portrait Gallery Jackie Joyner-Kersee
National Museum of African American History and Culture Jersey worn by Saskia Webber for the New York Power
National Portrait Gallery Dorothy Hamill
National Museum of American History Tennis Outfit, Worn by Althea Gibson
Smithsonian American Art Museum Mary Decker, Runner, U.S. vs. G.D.R. Meet, Los Angeles, from the series Shooting for the Gold
National Museum of American History Olympic Gymnastics Leotard, worn by Nastia Liukin
National Museum of American History Iron-on patch with Dorothy Hamill
National Portrait Gallery Marion Jones
National Portrait Gallery Marion Jones
National Museum of American History Olympic Skating Skin Suit, worn by Bonnie Blair
Smithsonian American Art Museum Julianne McNamara, Gymnast, Huntington Beach, California, from the series Shooting for the Gold
Smithsonian American Art Museum Tracy Ruiz, Synchronized Swimmer, Pan-American Games, Caracas, Venezuela, from the series Shooting for the Gold
National Museum of African American History and Culture Goggles worn by Cheryl Miler
Smithsonian American Art Museum Dara Torres, Swimmer, Mission Viejo, California, from the series Shooting for the Gold

Back to Top