Billie Jean King Leadership Award

This award is presented to an individual or group who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the advancement of women through achievements in sports and the workplace.

The Billie Jean King Leadership Award is presented to an individual or group who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the advancement of women through achievements in sports and the workplace. Through their personal and professional example, the recipients have inspired women and girls and demonstrated a lasting commitment to the growth of sports and physical activity for all women and girls.

Originally known as the Billie Jean King Contribution Award, the criteria were expanded in 2017.

Meet 2023 recipient, Stacey Allaster

Recipients

Dawn Staley2022
Kim Ng2021
Ursula Burns2020
Sheila C. Johnson2019
Gail K. Boudreaux2018
Condoleezza Rice2017
Val Ackerman2016
Don Sabo, Ph.D.2015
Tegla Loroupe2014
WNBA2013
Birch Bayh2012
Visa2011
Launny Steffens2010
The Gatorade Company2009
Sony Ericsson WTA Tour2008
Michelle Kwan2007
Dr. Dorothy Gulbenkian Blaney2006
(No Winner)2005
Robin Roberts2004
Nancy Lopez2003
Joseph F. Cullman 3rd2002
Ladies Professional Golf Association2001
Charles M. Schulz2000
Deborah Slaner Larkin1999
Dr. Linda Bunker1998
Dr. Alpha Alexander1997
Dr. Anita DeFrantz1996
Dr. Christine Grant1995
Cappy Productions1994
Judy Mahle Lutter1993
The National Women’s Law Center1992
Sara Lee Corporation Dr. Vivian Acosta & Dr. Linda Carpenter1991
No Winner1990
A Salute to Women in Sports, Volunteers, Contributors and Staff1989
ABC Sports1988
Eva Auchincloss1987
Dr. Carole Oglesby1986
Boy Scouts of America1985
David Foster1985
McDonald's Corp1985
Fred Thompson1984
Girls Club of America1984
Personal Products1984
Coca Cola, Inc.1983
Dr. Christine Wells1983
WIBC1983
Colgate-Palmolive1982
Kathrine Switzer1982
NJCAA1982
AAU1981
Avon Products1981
Gladys Heldman1981
AIAW1980
Bonnie Bell1980
Dr. Dorothy Harris1980

Wilma Rudolph Courage Award

Awarded to a female athlete who serves as an inspiration and role model, by overcoming adversity and exhibiting extraordinary courage in her athletic performance.

The Wilma Rudolph Courage Award is presented at our Annual Salute to Women in Sports 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. This award was first given in 1996 to Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

Meet 2023 recipient, Rosalie Fish

Recipients

Elana Meyers Taylor2022
Naomi Osaka2021
The Players of the WNBA2020
Marta Vieira da Silva2019
Caster Semenya2018
The 2017 U.S. Women's National Hockey Team2017
Maria Toorpakai Wazir2016
Tatyana McFadden2015
Noelle Pikus-Pace2014
Melissa Stockwell2013
Kayla Harrison2012
Visa Women's Ski Jumping Team2011
Amy Palmiero-Winters2010
Tiffara Steward2009
Patience Knight2008
2006-07 Rutgers Women's Basketball Team2007
Jean Driscoll2006
Yuliana Perez2005
Julie Krone2004
Kelly Sutton2003
Candace Cable2002
Michelle Akers2001
Martina Navratilova2000
Gail Devers1999
Willye White1998
Silken Laumann1997
Jackie Joyner-Kersee 1996

 

Champion for Equality Award

Presented to an individual or organization that has shown an unwavering commitment to gender equality and to the advancement of girls and women in sports.

The Champion for Equality Award is presented to an individual or organization that has shown an unwavering commitment to gender equality and to the advancement of girls and women in sports.  Through their personal and professional example, the recipients have inspired others to advocate for diversity and inclusion, to hire, support, mentor and elevate women, and to strive for equality because it’s the right thing to do.

Meet 2023 recipients, Jon Patricof and Jonathan Soros

Alexis Ohanian2022
Larry Scott2021
Bruce Arians2020
John Burke2019

Sportswoman of the Year® Award–Individual

With this award, we honor an individual sport athlete whose performances over a 12-month time span have been exceptional.

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, Abby Wambach, Meryl Davis, Simone Biles, Yani Tseng and Candace Parker. 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).*

*Sportswoman of the Year was not awarded in 2020. In 2021, it was selected by the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Individual Sport Recipients

Meet 2023 recipient, Claressa Shields

Sunisa Lee2022
Allyson Felix2021
Claressa Shields2019
Oksana Masters2018
Katie Ledecky2017
Claressa Shields2016
Serena Williams2015
Simone Biles2014
Missy Franklin2013
Gabby Douglas2012
Yani Tseng2011
Yuna Kim2010
Courtney Kupets2009
Nastia Liukin2008
Lorena Ochoa2007
Melanie Troxel2006
Erin Popovich2005
Annika Sorenstam2004
Natalie Coughlin2003
Sarah Hughes2002
Stacy Dragila2001
Jenny Thompson2000
Juli Inkster1999
Michelle Kwan1998
Gail Devers1997
Amy Van Dyken1996
Bonnie Blair1995
Bonnie Blair1994
Julie Krone1993

 

Sportswoman of the Year® Award–Team

Megan Rapinoe at the Women in Sports Foundation 40th Annual Salute To Women In Sports Awards Gala

Each year, we recognize a team sport athlete whose performances over a 12-month time span have been exceptional.

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, Abby Wambach, Meryl Davis, Simone Biles, Yani Tseng and Candace Parker. 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).*

*Sportswoman of the Year was not awarded in 2020. In 2021, it was selected by the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Team Sport Recipients

Meet our 2023 recipient, Natalie Schneider

Maggie Steffens2022
Jordan Larson2021
Megan Rapinoe2019
Maddie Rooney2018
Maya Moore2017
Ashleigh Johnson2016
Carli Lloyd2015
Meryl Davis2014
Candace Parker2013
Alex Morgan2012
Abby Wambach2011
Katie O'Donnell2010
Jessie Vetter2009
Jessica Mendoza2008
Monica Abbott2007
Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh2006
Cat Osterman2005
Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh2004
Lisa Leslie2003
Sue Bird2002
Lisa Leslie2001
Serena & Venus Williams2000
Mia Hamm1999
Cynthia Cooper1998
Mia Hamm1997
Teresa Edwards1996
Rebecca Lobo1995
Lisa Fernandez1994
Sheryl Swoopes1993