Close Modal

Women in Sports

50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win

Look inside
Hardcover
$16.99 US
7.7"W x 9.3"H x 0.6"D   | 20 oz | 12 per carton
On sale Jul 18, 2017 | 128 Pages | 9781607749783
Age 10-17 years | Grades 5-12
Reading Level: Lexile 1030L
A richly illustrated and inspiring book highlighting the achievements and stories of fifty notable women athletes from the 1800s to today, by the New York Times bestselling author of Women in Science.
 
“This is one of the books we’ve been waiting for—a compendium of great women athletes and the struggles they faced.”—Lesley Visser, Hall of Fame sportscaster

Women for the win! The fifty illustrated profiles in Women in Sports feature trailblazers, Olympians, and record-breaking female athletes in more than forty sports, including well-known figures like tennis player Billie Jean King and gymnast Simone Biles, as well as lesser-known champions like Toni Stone, the first woman to play baseball in a professional men’s league, and skateboarding pioneer Patti McGee. 
 
Women in Sports also contains infographics on topics that sporty women want to know about, such as muscle anatomy, a timeline of women’s participation in sports, pay and media statistics for female athletes, and influential women’s teams. This beautiful and inspiring book celebrates the success of the tough, bold, and fearless women who paved the way for today’s athletes.
“Exhaustive and enlightening—don't miss it.”Kirkus Reviews
 
“Rachel Ignotofsky’s delightful book renders the healthy pleasure of sports for girls and women in buoyant color and form—from Bloomer Girls to Skate Bettys, in calf length skirts or disguised as men—reminding us that no matter if you are nine or ninety-eight, the question to ask is, ‘What is my next victory?’”—Mina Samuels, author of Run Like a Girl
 
“This luminescent book tells the stories of women and girls who have not only excelled in athletics, but also often changed the world by doing so. I was agog at these lively biographies and dazzled by the accompanying illustrations that seem to cartwheel, swim, pole vault, and double flip off the page. This is a book for girls who want inspiration on the field, in the pool, or down the track. It’s also for girls who aren’t sporty at all, but love stories of courage, perseverance, sass, doggedness, and fun. And don’t forget the boys, who will be riveted by these rollicking tales and who need to see that girl power has been alive and well for many years and is alive and well today.”—Caroline Paul, author of The Gutsy Girl
 
“What an inspiring book! These beautifully drawn portraits cover the triumphs and troubles of fifty athletes—some you’ve heard of and many you haven’t. There’s a familiar pattern to these stories: A woman sets her mind on something, someone tells her it can’t be done, and she goes ahead and does it anyway, setting records along the way. You’ll cheer for these ladies, and for author Rachel Ignotofsky.”—Lisa Taggart, author of Women Who Win
© Thomas Mason IV
Rachel Ignotofsky is a New York Times bestselling author, illustrator, and designer. Rachel and her work have been featured in many print and online media outlets such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Scientific American, Science Friday, Brain Pickings, and more. She is the author of Women in Science, Women in Sports, Women in Art, I Love Science, and The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth. She is a graduate of Tyler School of Art’s graphic design program. View titles by Rachel Ignotofsky
INTRODUCTION

“The weaker sex!” It wasn’t the first times those untrue words were said, and it wouldn’t be the last. It’s what Bobby Riggs, a former tennis champ, said about women in 1973. But tennis player Billie Jean King stood up to this bully. With masterful skill, physical strength, and a sense of self-worth, Billie Jean would change the world with her tennis racket.

Throughout history, women have been stereotyped as weak and routinely excluded from competitions, gyms, teams, and sports clubs. With no arena in which to prove themselves fit and strong, it was hard for women to fight this sexism. Of course, this stereotype has pervaded other segments of society throughout history. Women have been denied educational, civic, business, and leadership opportunities and have had to prove they are just as smart and hardworking as men. Female athletes like Billie Jean have had to fight the most basic stereotype of all: that women’s bodies are inherently not as strong or capable as men’s. Their progress has been truly inspiring.
During the 1970s, the feminist movement was in full swing in the United States, United Kingdom, and other developed nations. Women were demanding equal pay and equal opportunities. In 1972, the United States passed Title IX as part of the Education Amendments, making it illegal for U.S. schools to discriminate in funding based on gender. For the first time, many schools began funding women’s sports programs, and colleges began giving out women’s sports scholarships. Finally, women could pursue their athletic passions and show the world their true strength.

The backlash was inevitable. Many still thought women should do only traditional “ladylike” activities. Tennis player Bobby Riggs wanted to prove that women had no place in sports by beating the best female tennis player, Billie Jean King. In 1973, he challenged her to a “battle of the sexes” tennis match. At first she declined. But when Bobby beat Grand Slam winner Margaret Court in the “Mother’s Day massacre” game, Billie Jean understood there was more at stake than just a tennis match. 

The whole world was watching as Billie Jean and Bobby entered the tennis court. Winning would not be enough; she would have to wipe the floor with him. And she did: 6-4, 6-3, and 6-3 for each set. Billie threw her racket into the air in victory as the crowd went wild!

Women around the world watched Billie Jean and felt empowered to stand up for themselves. Many thanked her for inspiring them to finally ask for a pay raise or a promotion. Men wanted their daughters to grow up strong and brave like Billie Jean. She used her sports star status as a leader off the court as well, lobbying and creating initiatives for equal opportunities in the workforce for women and people of color. This is the cultural power of sports: through entertainment and competition, they inspire courage. The fight for social justice often starts in the field or on the court. Through historic victories and setting new records, female athletes like Billie Jean shared their stories, broke down stereotypes, and created change.

Sports have always been a part of human culture, and athletes become heroes, social icons, and positive role models. Although sports should be about skill and hard work, societal prejudices often prevented women from competing. It took gutsy, fearless women to break down these barriers—to defy the rules, be resourceful, and take dangerous risks—all to prove their strength, independence, and ability to lead and change the world.

When the newspapers scoffed that a “weak “woman like Gertrude Ederle couldn’t swim across the English Channel, Gertrude decided that she would either drown or triumph. She triumphed—and set a new world record in 1926. When Althea Gibson, a black woman, played tennis during the segregation era, her talent was so undeniable she was able to cross the color line and become the first African American to showcase her skills at Wimbledon. The world would judge her on her skills, not her skin color, helping the civil rights movement and paving the way for athletic greats like Serena Williams. When Sue Sally Hale was told women were not allowed to play polo, she disguised herself as a man for 20 years to play the sport she loved. Sue Sally eventually leveraged her secret to force polo to become a co-ed sport, allowing her to become a leader on the field.

These are just a few examples of female athletes who proved their worth as individuals, showing the world what women can do and creating more opportunities for future generations. There are still problems in women’s athletics, such as a lack of funding and media coverage, and unequal pay. But with each generation, women defy expectations and accomplish feats of strength that challenge the status quo. This book is filled with stories of little girls who grew up to achieve their greatest dreams—stories of women who pushed themselves to the limit, did the impossible, and became legends.
CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

1. Annie Smith Peck- (1850 -1935) Mountain Climber
2. Madge Syers (1881-1917) Figure Skater
3. Georgia "Tiny" Broadwick (1893-1978) Skydiver
4. Bobbie Rosenfeld (1904-1969) Track and Field, Hockey, tennis and softball player
5. Gertrude Ederle (1905-2003) Swimmer
6. Aileen Muriel Riggin 1906-2002 Olympic Diver
7. "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias (1911-1956) Golfer, track and field and basketball player 8. Keiko Fukuda 1913-2013 Judoka
9. Marion Ladewig (1914-2010) Bowler
10. Toni Stone (1921-1996) Baseball Player
11. Althea Gibson (1927-2993) Tennis Player
12. Ann Calvello - (1929-2006) Roller Derby

* INFOGRAPHIC: TIMELINE
13. Sue Sally Hale - (1937-2003) Polo Player and Trainer
14. Wilma Rudolph (1940-1994) Track and Field Sprinter
15. Jody Conradt (1941-) Basketball coach
16. Billie Jean King (1943-) Tennis player
17. Anita DeFrantz (1952-) Rower and Athletic Administrator
18. Bev Francis (1955-) Weightlifter and body builder
19. Flo Hyman (1954-1986) Volleyball player
20. Patti McGee (1954-) Skateboarder
21. Susan Butcher (1954-2003) Dog Musher
22. Camille Duvall - (1960-) Water skier and Sports Journalist
23. Nadia Elena Comăneci (1961- ) Gymnast

* INFOGRAPHIC: MUSCLE ANATOMY
24. Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1962 -) Heptathlete
25. Julie Krone (1963-) Jockey
26. Bonnie Blair (1964-) Speedskater
27. Anjali Bhagwat (1969-) Markswoman
28. Chantal Petitclerc (1969- ) Wheelchair racer
29. Kim Soo-nyung (1971- ) Archer
30. Kristi Yamaguchi - 1971- Figure Skater
31. Layne Collette Beachley (1971-) Surfer
32. Mia Hamm (1972 -) Soccer Player
33. Lisa Leslie 1972- Basketball player

* INFOGRAPHIC: STATISTICS IN SPORTS
34. Manon Rhéaume (1972-) Ice Hockey goaltender
35. Deng Yaping (1973-) Ping Pong Player
36. Valentina Vezzal (1974-) Fencer and Politician
37. Ellen MacArthur 1976- Yachtswoman
38. Melissa Stockwell (1980-) Para-triathlete and U.S. Army officer.
39. Jolene Van Vugt (1980-) Motocross rider
40. Serena Williams (1981- ) and Venus Williams (1980- ) Tennis players and Olympians 41. Nicola Adams (1982-) Boxer
42. Beryl Burton, (1937-1996) Cyclist

* INFOGRAPHIC: INFLUENTIAL FEMALE TEAMS
43. Kelly Clarke (1983-) Snow Border
44. Natalie du Toit (1984-) Swimmer and paralympian
45. Lindsey Vonn 1984- Alpine Skier
46. Ronda Jean Rousey (1987-) Mixed Martial artist
47. Michelle Wie (1989-) Golfer
48. Mariana Pajón (1991-) BMX Cyclist
49. Gabby Douglas 1995 - Artistic Gymnast
50. Missy Franklin 1995 - Swimmer

* INFOGRAPHIC: MORE WOMEN IN SPORTS

About

A richly illustrated and inspiring book highlighting the achievements and stories of fifty notable women athletes from the 1800s to today, by the New York Times bestselling author of Women in Science.
 
“This is one of the books we’ve been waiting for—a compendium of great women athletes and the struggles they faced.”—Lesley Visser, Hall of Fame sportscaster

Women for the win! The fifty illustrated profiles in Women in Sports feature trailblazers, Olympians, and record-breaking female athletes in more than forty sports, including well-known figures like tennis player Billie Jean King and gymnast Simone Biles, as well as lesser-known champions like Toni Stone, the first woman to play baseball in a professional men’s league, and skateboarding pioneer Patti McGee. 
 
Women in Sports also contains infographics on topics that sporty women want to know about, such as muscle anatomy, a timeline of women’s participation in sports, pay and media statistics for female athletes, and influential women’s teams. This beautiful and inspiring book celebrates the success of the tough, bold, and fearless women who paved the way for today’s athletes.

Praise

“Exhaustive and enlightening—don't miss it.”Kirkus Reviews
 
“Rachel Ignotofsky’s delightful book renders the healthy pleasure of sports for girls and women in buoyant color and form—from Bloomer Girls to Skate Bettys, in calf length skirts or disguised as men—reminding us that no matter if you are nine or ninety-eight, the question to ask is, ‘What is my next victory?’”—Mina Samuels, author of Run Like a Girl
 
“This luminescent book tells the stories of women and girls who have not only excelled in athletics, but also often changed the world by doing so. I was agog at these lively biographies and dazzled by the accompanying illustrations that seem to cartwheel, swim, pole vault, and double flip off the page. This is a book for girls who want inspiration on the field, in the pool, or down the track. It’s also for girls who aren’t sporty at all, but love stories of courage, perseverance, sass, doggedness, and fun. And don’t forget the boys, who will be riveted by these rollicking tales and who need to see that girl power has been alive and well for many years and is alive and well today.”—Caroline Paul, author of The Gutsy Girl
 
“What an inspiring book! These beautifully drawn portraits cover the triumphs and troubles of fifty athletes—some you’ve heard of and many you haven’t. There’s a familiar pattern to these stories: A woman sets her mind on something, someone tells her it can’t be done, and she goes ahead and does it anyway, setting records along the way. You’ll cheer for these ladies, and for author Rachel Ignotofsky.”—Lisa Taggart, author of Women Who Win

Author

© Thomas Mason IV
Rachel Ignotofsky is a New York Times bestselling author, illustrator, and designer. Rachel and her work have been featured in many print and online media outlets such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Scientific American, Science Friday, Brain Pickings, and more. She is the author of Women in Science, Women in Sports, Women in Art, I Love Science, and The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth. She is a graduate of Tyler School of Art’s graphic design program. View titles by Rachel Ignotofsky

Excerpt

INTRODUCTION

“The weaker sex!” It wasn’t the first times those untrue words were said, and it wouldn’t be the last. It’s what Bobby Riggs, a former tennis champ, said about women in 1973. But tennis player Billie Jean King stood up to this bully. With masterful skill, physical strength, and a sense of self-worth, Billie Jean would change the world with her tennis racket.

Throughout history, women have been stereotyped as weak and routinely excluded from competitions, gyms, teams, and sports clubs. With no arena in which to prove themselves fit and strong, it was hard for women to fight this sexism. Of course, this stereotype has pervaded other segments of society throughout history. Women have been denied educational, civic, business, and leadership opportunities and have had to prove they are just as smart and hardworking as men. Female athletes like Billie Jean have had to fight the most basic stereotype of all: that women’s bodies are inherently not as strong or capable as men’s. Their progress has been truly inspiring.
During the 1970s, the feminist movement was in full swing in the United States, United Kingdom, and other developed nations. Women were demanding equal pay and equal opportunities. In 1972, the United States passed Title IX as part of the Education Amendments, making it illegal for U.S. schools to discriminate in funding based on gender. For the first time, many schools began funding women’s sports programs, and colleges began giving out women’s sports scholarships. Finally, women could pursue their athletic passions and show the world their true strength.

The backlash was inevitable. Many still thought women should do only traditional “ladylike” activities. Tennis player Bobby Riggs wanted to prove that women had no place in sports by beating the best female tennis player, Billie Jean King. In 1973, he challenged her to a “battle of the sexes” tennis match. At first she declined. But when Bobby beat Grand Slam winner Margaret Court in the “Mother’s Day massacre” game, Billie Jean understood there was more at stake than just a tennis match. 

The whole world was watching as Billie Jean and Bobby entered the tennis court. Winning would not be enough; she would have to wipe the floor with him. And she did: 6-4, 6-3, and 6-3 for each set. Billie threw her racket into the air in victory as the crowd went wild!

Women around the world watched Billie Jean and felt empowered to stand up for themselves. Many thanked her for inspiring them to finally ask for a pay raise or a promotion. Men wanted their daughters to grow up strong and brave like Billie Jean. She used her sports star status as a leader off the court as well, lobbying and creating initiatives for equal opportunities in the workforce for women and people of color. This is the cultural power of sports: through entertainment and competition, they inspire courage. The fight for social justice often starts in the field or on the court. Through historic victories and setting new records, female athletes like Billie Jean shared their stories, broke down stereotypes, and created change.

Sports have always been a part of human culture, and athletes become heroes, social icons, and positive role models. Although sports should be about skill and hard work, societal prejudices often prevented women from competing. It took gutsy, fearless women to break down these barriers—to defy the rules, be resourceful, and take dangerous risks—all to prove their strength, independence, and ability to lead and change the world.

When the newspapers scoffed that a “weak “woman like Gertrude Ederle couldn’t swim across the English Channel, Gertrude decided that she would either drown or triumph. She triumphed—and set a new world record in 1926. When Althea Gibson, a black woman, played tennis during the segregation era, her talent was so undeniable she was able to cross the color line and become the first African American to showcase her skills at Wimbledon. The world would judge her on her skills, not her skin color, helping the civil rights movement and paving the way for athletic greats like Serena Williams. When Sue Sally Hale was told women were not allowed to play polo, she disguised herself as a man for 20 years to play the sport she loved. Sue Sally eventually leveraged her secret to force polo to become a co-ed sport, allowing her to become a leader on the field.

These are just a few examples of female athletes who proved their worth as individuals, showing the world what women can do and creating more opportunities for future generations. There are still problems in women’s athletics, such as a lack of funding and media coverage, and unequal pay. But with each generation, women defy expectations and accomplish feats of strength that challenge the status quo. This book is filled with stories of little girls who grew up to achieve their greatest dreams—stories of women who pushed themselves to the limit, did the impossible, and became legends.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

1. Annie Smith Peck- (1850 -1935) Mountain Climber
2. Madge Syers (1881-1917) Figure Skater
3. Georgia "Tiny" Broadwick (1893-1978) Skydiver
4. Bobbie Rosenfeld (1904-1969) Track and Field, Hockey, tennis and softball player
5. Gertrude Ederle (1905-2003) Swimmer
6. Aileen Muriel Riggin 1906-2002 Olympic Diver
7. "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias (1911-1956) Golfer, track and field and basketball player 8. Keiko Fukuda 1913-2013 Judoka
9. Marion Ladewig (1914-2010) Bowler
10. Toni Stone (1921-1996) Baseball Player
11. Althea Gibson (1927-2993) Tennis Player
12. Ann Calvello - (1929-2006) Roller Derby

* INFOGRAPHIC: TIMELINE
13. Sue Sally Hale - (1937-2003) Polo Player and Trainer
14. Wilma Rudolph (1940-1994) Track and Field Sprinter
15. Jody Conradt (1941-) Basketball coach
16. Billie Jean King (1943-) Tennis player
17. Anita DeFrantz (1952-) Rower and Athletic Administrator
18. Bev Francis (1955-) Weightlifter and body builder
19. Flo Hyman (1954-1986) Volleyball player
20. Patti McGee (1954-) Skateboarder
21. Susan Butcher (1954-2003) Dog Musher
22. Camille Duvall - (1960-) Water skier and Sports Journalist
23. Nadia Elena Comăneci (1961- ) Gymnast

* INFOGRAPHIC: MUSCLE ANATOMY
24. Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1962 -) Heptathlete
25. Julie Krone (1963-) Jockey
26. Bonnie Blair (1964-) Speedskater
27. Anjali Bhagwat (1969-) Markswoman
28. Chantal Petitclerc (1969- ) Wheelchair racer
29. Kim Soo-nyung (1971- ) Archer
30. Kristi Yamaguchi - 1971- Figure Skater
31. Layne Collette Beachley (1971-) Surfer
32. Mia Hamm (1972 -) Soccer Player
33. Lisa Leslie 1972- Basketball player

* INFOGRAPHIC: STATISTICS IN SPORTS
34. Manon Rhéaume (1972-) Ice Hockey goaltender
35. Deng Yaping (1973-) Ping Pong Player
36. Valentina Vezzal (1974-) Fencer and Politician
37. Ellen MacArthur 1976- Yachtswoman
38. Melissa Stockwell (1980-) Para-triathlete and U.S. Army officer.
39. Jolene Van Vugt (1980-) Motocross rider
40. Serena Williams (1981- ) and Venus Williams (1980- ) Tennis players and Olympians 41. Nicola Adams (1982-) Boxer
42. Beryl Burton, (1937-1996) Cyclist

* INFOGRAPHIC: INFLUENTIAL FEMALE TEAMS
43. Kelly Clarke (1983-) Snow Border
44. Natalie du Toit (1984-) Swimmer and paralympian
45. Lindsey Vonn 1984- Alpine Skier
46. Ronda Jean Rousey (1987-) Mixed Martial artist
47. Michelle Wie (1989-) Golfer
48. Mariana Pajón (1991-) BMX Cyclist
49. Gabby Douglas 1995 - Artistic Gymnast
50. Missy Franklin 1995 - Swimmer

* INFOGRAPHIC: MORE WOMEN IN SPORTS

What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon?

With warm and heart-fluttering illustrations, discover the next nonfiction picture book about butterflies and moths from the creator of the New York Times bestseller Women in Science! Butterflies soar in the sunlight. While moths flutter under the moon and stars. Find out more about these mysterious and majestic insects similarities and differences, and their awestrucking metamorphosis! Rachel Ignotofsky’s distinctive

Read more