In 1985 the Vassar College Athletic Association ignored the constraints placed on women athletes of that era and held its first-ever womens field day, featuring competition in five track and field events. Soon colleges across the country were offering women the opportunity to compete, and in 1922 the United States selected 22 women to compete in the Womens World Games in Paris. Upon their return, female physical educators severely criticized their efforts, decrying "the evils of competition." Wilma Rudolphs triumphant Olympics in 1960 sparked renewed support for womens track and field in the United States. From 1922 to 1960, thousands of women competed, and won many gold medals, with little encouragement or recognition. This reference work provides a history, based on many interviews and meticulous research in primary source documents, of womens track and field, from its beginnings on the lawns of Vassar College in 1895, through 1980, when Title IX began to create a truly level playing field for men and women. The results of Amateur Athletic Union Womens Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships since 1923 are given, as well as full coverage of female Olympians.

“The embrace of women’s sports sometimes feels almost like a political act...Molly Schiot’s Game Changers: The Unsung Heroines of Sports History is so valuable.” —The Wall Street Journal “A thoughtful, exhaustively researched, and long-overdue tribute to the women who have paved the way for the likes of Serena Williams, Abby Wambach, Simone Biles, and more.” —espnW Based on the Instagram account @TheUnsungHeroines, a celebration of the pioneering, forgotten female athletes of the twentieth century that features rarely seen photos and new interviews with past and present game changers including Abby Wambach and Cari Champion. Two years ago, filmmaker Molly Schiot began the Instagram account @TheUnsungHeroines, posting a photo each day of a female athlete who had changed the face of sports around the globe in the pre-Title IX age. These women paved the way for Serena Williams, Carli Lloyd, and Lindsey Vonn, yet few today know who they are. Slowly but surely, the account gained a following, and the result is Game Changers, a beautifully illustrated collection of these trailblazers’ rarely-before-seen photos and stories. Featuring icons Althea Gibson and Wyomia Tyus, complete unknowns Trudy Beck and Conchita Cintron, policymaker Margaret Dunkle, sportswriter Lisa Olson, and many more, Game Changers gives these “founding mothers” the attention and recognition they deserve, and features critical conversations between past and present gamechangers—including former US Women’s National Soccer Team captain Abby Wambach and SportsCenter anchor Cari Champion—about what it means to be a woman on and off the field. Inspiring, empowering, and unforgettable, Game Changers is the perfect gift for anyone who has a love of the game.

Introduces readers to the development of women’s track and field, as well as the sport’s star players from past to present. Colorful spreads, fascinating sidebars, and athlete bios make this a thrilling read for young sports fans.

Provides information on African-American women who have participated in Olympic track and field events from 1932 to 1988.

Discusses the history of women in the sport and provides information on training, competitions, and opportunities for female athletes.

In Motivational Moments in Women's Track and Field, read inspirational stories of female athletes who overcame adversity to achieve success. Sixty female track and field athletes from all over the world and multiple generations are featured in this book. Stories are of well-known athletes like Wilma Rudolph, who overcame polio as a child to become an Olympic champion, or unknown athletes who never made it to the Olympics, such as Gretel Bergmann, who faced discrimination because she was Jewish, or Doris Brown Heritage, who faced gender discrimination when women were not allowed to run distance events. Some, such as Alice Coachmen, faced racial discrimination, but overcame the adversity to become successful. Many won multiple medals at the greatest athletic stage in the world. However, some had their dreams crushed when they were not allowed to compete in the Olympic Games due to war, boycotts, or injuries. Motivational Moments in Women's Track and Field is written for those who are currently competing, coaching, have participated in track and field or are simply a track and field or sports fan. The stories convey the history of track and field and are designed to inspire, encourage, motivate, and teach valuable life lessons. Each story is accompanied by questions designed to invoke thought as to how one can apply the lessons learned to athletics and to the bigger game of life. The stories are rich in history and are designed to be read in a few minutes. The stories pay honor to all the young women who compete, and make the attempt and pursue excellence. These stories of great athletes teach us how to think positive, to focus our attention on what is important, and how to overcome obstacles to reach our goals.