12 Powerful Quotes from Black Women Athletes to Inspire Greatness
From Dawn Staley to Simone Biles—words of wisdom from some of the most accomplished Black women in sports.
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"If you can think it, you can do it. If you can dream it, you can do it." — Coco Gauff | Coco Gauff is a rising star in tennis, known for her remarkable achievements at a young age, including winning the US Open singles title at 19.
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"I played baseball because I loved the game. I wasn’t trying to make history; I was just trying to play." — Toni Stone | Toni Stone was the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro Leagues, shattering gender barriers in a male-dominated sport during the 1950s.
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"I always thank God for the wins and losses." — Dawn Staley | Dawn Staley is a legendary basketball coach and former player. She is the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks and has led them to multiple NCAA championships, while also winning three Olympic gold medals as a player.
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"Success is not a destination, but a journey." — Althea Gibson | Althea Gibson was the first Black athlete to win a Grand Slam in tennis, breaking barriers at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the 1950s. She later became the first Black woman to compete on the LPGA golf tour, paving the way for future generations of athletes.
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"I don't fit the narrative; I don't fit in the box y'all want me to be in. I'm too hood, I'm too ghetto — y'all told me that all year. So this is for the girls that look like me... It's unapologetically you." — Angel Reese | Angel Reese is a rising star in women’s college basketball, leading LSU to a national championship while challenging stereotypes about femininity and confidence in sports.
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"If you can dream it, you can do it." — Wilma Rudolph | Wilma Rudolph overcame polio as a child to become a three-time Olympic gold medalist in track and field at the 1960 Rome Olympics, inspiring millions with her resilience and speed.
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"I'd rather regret the risks that didn't work out than the chances I didn't take at all." — Simone Biles | Simone Biles is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, with 30 Olympic and World Championship medals. Her courage extends beyond the mat, as she’s been an advocate for mental health and athlete safety.
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"Adversity is like fertilizer for greatness." — A'ja Wilson | A'ja Wilson is a WNBA MVP and champion with the Las Vegas Aces, known for her dominance on the court and advocacy for racial and gender equality.
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"I dared to dream big dreams and worked hard to make them come true." — Florence ‘Flo Jo’ Griffith Joyner | Known for her record-breaking speed and iconic style, Flo Jo remains one of track and field’s most celebrated athletes after winning three gold medals at the 1988 Olympics.
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"Always believe in the power of your dream." — Jordan Chiles | Jordan Chiles is an Olympic silver medalist in gymnastics who has shown remarkable perseverance and teamwork while competing alongside legends like Simone Biles.
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"My ambition is to enjoy my life and to do exactly what I want to do. And I'll do that. I will be free." — Venus Williams | Venus Williams is a tennis icon and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, known for her powerful serve and trailblazing career that has inspired generations of athletes.
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