Lisa Deshaun Leslie-Lockwood (born July 7, 1972) is a former American professional women’s basketball player in the WNBA. She is a three-time WNBA MVP and a four-time Olympic gold medal winner. Leslie, a 6’5″ center, is the first player to dunk in a WNBA game. She was considered a pioneer and cornerstone of the league during her WNBA career. In 2011, she was voted in by fans as one of the Top 15 players in WNBA history.
Source cited: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Leslie
Marlen Esparza (born July 29, 1989) is an American boxer. In May 2012, she qualified to compete at the 2012 Olympics, becoming the first American woman to qualify for the Olympics in the first year that women’s boxing will be an Olympic event.
Esparza graduated from Pasadena High School in Pasadena, Texas in 2007. Esparza won a bronze medal at the 2006 Women’s World Boxing Championship.
Source cited: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlen_Esparza
Joan Benoit Samuelson (born May 16, 1957) is an American marathon runner who won gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She is one of Maine’s most recognizable athlete continues to serve as an inspiration for runners and athletes of all ages around the world. Joan founded the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race in 1998 to benefit children’s charities in Maine.
Meet an outstanding female athlete…
Diana Lorena Taurasi (born June 11, 1982 in Glendale, California) is a professional basketball player who plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA and UMMC Ekaterinburg of Russia. In 2011, she was voted one of the Top 15 players in WNBA history by fans.
Source cited: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Taurasi
Dear Friends,
March is Women’s History Month, which I celebrate each day by posting about an unheard of, unheralded yet notable woman every day of the month. If you’d like to be notified of each “31 Days of Notable Women” post, subscribe here to my FREE blog and don’t miss a single post!
Posted in 31 Days of Notable Women, actresses, famous firsts, general interest, Quotable Women, women adventurers, Women artists, women directors, women freedom fighters, women in business, women in economics, women in finance, women in sports, women peace activists, women who make the world a better place, Women's History
The first woman to be drafted into the NBA was Lusia (Lucy) Harris-Stewart
Born Feb.10, 1955 in Minter City, Mississippi.
Lucy Harris-Stewart is a quiet and self-effacing woman. The 6’3” Harris-Stewart is considered by many to be the prototypical modern center. Born February 10, 1955, in Minter City, Miss., she grew up watching her equally tall older sister win high school championships. “Most people don’t realize how organized [girls'] basketball was in Mississippi during that time,” she explained. “In my area, it was a money-drawing event.”
“I used to love watching her play,” said Harris-Stewart of her sister. “She could really handle that ball. When I went to Amanda Elzy High School in Greenwood, we had the same coach, Conway Stewart. That was so awesome, to be able to play for someone who loved the game.” Harris-Stewart remembers coach Stewart talking about the game and keeping a cool head. “He talked to me a whole lot about keeping my composure and not to do things to be thrown out of a game. Because,” she admitted with a sly smile, “even though I was a shy person, I would get you back on the court.”
