Female athletes are seriously under appreciated. Granted, I may be a tad bit biased, but take a look around you. Can you name three female athletes off of the top of your head? I doubt it. This past week, the US women's national hockey team made national news for threatening to boycott the World Championships because they are not happy with the negotiations that are taking place with USA Hockey. What are they arguing over, you might ask? Better pay, better equipment, and here's the real kicker: more than a nine-game schedule during non-Olympic years. Nine games are significantly less than even what a developmental men's hockey team would play. So, why are these women allowed only nine games on the national team in a non-Olympic year? The answer: under appreciation and a lack of a wide fan base. These women, as well as other female athletes, have the potential to be amazing role models for many, but they don't get many opportunities because people don't tend to watch women's sports. I personally find that ridiculous, because these women are doing some insane things in the sports world and they deserve some recognition. So, without further ado, here is a list of some great female athletes:
1. Ronda Rousey
Many remember her 30-second knockouts, but there is more than a couple of good fights in Rousey. She is the first UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion as well as a former Olympian who advocates for mental health services and fights to erase the stigma behind mental illness.
2. Serena Williams
No joke, this woman showed the world that strong is beautiful. She is driven and has fought to achieve her goals. Williams is the first African-American to own part of an NFL team, and she also has set up a charity that provides educational opportunities to under privileged youth.
3. Katie Ledecky
Keep your eyes on this one, ladies and gentlemen. While Ledecky hasn't set up an amazing charity (yet), she does currently hold 11 world records in swimming and has been listed as one of the youngest members on the TIME list of most influential people.
4. Lolo Jones
Jones is one tough chick. Not only is she a former summer Olympian (for the hurdles no less), she also qualified to become a winter Olympian too. No doubt, it takes an immense amount of dedication and strength to accomplish that feat.
5. Hilary Knight
She is not only one of the women speaking out for fair treatment of the Women's national hokey team but she is also a four-time World Champion and three-time All-American in the Sport of Women's Hockey. Not only is she a stud on the ice, but she is also an advocate for women everywhere to believe in themselves.
This by no means is the end of the list of female athletes who deserve our appreciation and recognition. There are hundreds of thousands of women out there who are inspiring, awesome, and kick ass; these are just a few.
