Women's Sports Foundation

Sportswoman of the Year

Honoring the year's best in women's sports performance

Nominate an athlete for Individual Sportswoman of the Year. >>>
Nominate an athlete for Team Sportswoman of the Year. >>>

Every year, at our Annual Salute to Women in Sports, we recognize an individual sport athlete and team sport athlete whose performances over a 12-month time span have been exceptional. Past winners include Venus and Serena Williams, Nastia Liukin, Jessica Mendoza and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Simply put: our Sportswoman of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious in the game.

The public and the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Awards Committee select the award winners by a 50-50 vote. The winners will be those two athletes who receive the highest combined share of a public vote (50% of composite) and the Awards Committee vote (50% of the composite).

Winners are announced at the Annual Salute to Women in Sports.

Past Individual Sport Winners

Yani Tseng		2011
Yuna Kim		2010
Courtney Kupets		2009
Nastia Liukin		2008
Lorena Ochoa		2007
Melanie Troxel		2006
Erin Popovich		2005
Annika Sorenstam		2004
Natalie Coughlin		2003
Sarah Hughes		2002
Stacy Dragila		2001
Jenny Thompson		2000
Juli Inkster		1999
Michelle Kwan		1998
Gail Devers		1997
Amy Van Dyken		1996
Bonnie Blair		1995
Bonnie Blair		1994
Julie Krone		1993

Past Team Sport Winners

Abby Wambach		2011
Katie O'Donnell		2010
Jessie Vetter		2009
Jessica Mendoza		2008
Monica Abbott		2007
Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh		2006
Cat Osterman		2005
Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh		2004
Lisa Leslie		2003
Sue Bird		2002
Lisa Leslie		2001
Serena & Venus Williams		2000
Mia Hamm		1999
Cynthia Cooper		1998
Mia Hamm		1997
Teresa Edwards		1996
Rebecca Lobo		1995
Lisa Fernandez		1994
Sheryl Swoopes		1993

Past Professional Winners

Pat Bradley		1992
Meg Mallon		1991
Paula Newby-Fraser		1990
Steffi Graf		1989
Susan Butcher		1988
Susan Butcher		1987
Lynette Woodard		1986
Libby Riddles		1985
Martina Navratilova		1984
Martina Navratilova		1983
Martina Navratilova		1982
Chris Evert		1981
Tracy Austin		1980

Past Amateur Winners

Jackie Joyner-Kersee		1992
Jean Driscoll		1991
Lori Norwood		1990
Janet Evans		1989
Jackie Joyner-Kersee		1988
Jackie Joyner-Kersee		1987
Debi Thomas		1986
Michele Mitchell		1985
Joan Benoit		1984
Mary Lou Retton		1984
Mary Decker		1983
Mary Decker		1982
Tracy Caulkins		1981
Mary Decker		1980

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Wilma Rudolph Courage

Given to a female athlete who exhibits extraordinary courage in her athletic performance, demonstrates the ability to overcome adversity, makes significant contributions to sports and serves as an inspiration and role model to those who face challenges, overcomes them and strives for success at all levels.

Read the Press Release

AUGUST 24, 2010: The Women's Sports Foundation will celebrate the accomplishments of the top women athletes at the 31st Annual Salute to Women in Sports Awards gala on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. An impressive list of elite athletes from 20 different sports is vying for the evening’s top honors – Sportswoman of the Year – Individual and Team awards.