Women’s Sports History Timeline: Key Milestones
Updated: Sep 26
Find key dates in women’s sports history, see what changed, and follow trusted sources to learn more.
Written by Linda Herron
Women Sports USA®
This timeline of women’s sports history timeline highlights key moments that expanded opportunities for girls and women to compete. From early tennis championships to Olympic breakthroughs, Title IX, and professional leagues, explore the dates that helped shape the game—and follow the links to discover the stories behind them.
For the people and experiences behind these dates, read The Women Who Changed the Game.
Women’s Sports History Timeline at a Glance
1884 and 1887: Women’s Tennis Championships
Maud Watson won Wimbledon’s first women’s singles championship in 1884. Ellen Hansell won the inaugural U.S. women’s singles championship in 1887. These are two separate events, not interchangeable dates. Sources: Wimbledon history and US Open champions.
1900: Women Enter the Modern Olympics
Women first competed at the modern Olympic Games in Paris in 1900. The International Olympic Committee records 22 women among 997 athletes, participating in five sports. Source: IOC account of women’s Olympic debut.
1928: Women’s Olympic Track and Field Begins
Women’s athletics entered the Olympic program at the 1928 Amsterdam Games with five events. This was a later milestone than women’s first Olympic participation in 1900. Source: World Athletics history of women’s Olympic events.
1972: Title IX Becomes Law
Title IX established protections against sex discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, including athletics. Equal athletic opportunity involves participation and benefits such as coaching and facilities; identical overall spending is not required. Source: U.S. Department of Education guidance. Read more: Title IX and Women’s Sports.
1973: Equal Prize Money and the Battle of the Sexes
The US Open became the first Grand Slam tournament to offer equal prize money to women and men. Later that year, on September 20, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes. These were separate milestones in the same year. Sources: US Open history and Billie Jean King’s account.
1984: The First Women’s Olympic Marathon
Joan Benoit, now known as Joan Benoit Samuelson, won the inaugural women’s Olympic marathon at the Los Angeles Games. Source: U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Read more: The First Women to Compete in the Olympic Marathon.
1996 and 1997: The WNBA is Approved and Begins Play
The WNBA was approved in April 1996. Its first game took place on June 21, 1997, between the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks. Use 1996 for the league’s approval and 1997 for its inaugural playing season. Source: WNBA inaugural-season history.
1999: The United States Wins the Women’s World Cup
On July 10, the United States defeated China on penalties in the Women’s World Cup final at the Rose Bowl, with 90,185 spectators in attendance. Brandi Chastain converted the decisive kick. Sources: U.S. Soccer’s tournament retrospective and FIFA’s account of the final.
2013: The NWSL begins competition
The National Women’s Soccer League played its inaugural season in 2013. This date marks the beginning of NWSL competition, not the beginning of women’s professional soccer in the United States. Source: NWSL history of its regular-season championship.
Explore the Stories Behind the Dates
Choose a milestone that interests you and follow its source to learn more. For a fuller narrative, explore The Women Who Changed the Game. To discover how women’s sports history connects with individual communities, visit 50 States | 50 Stories™.
At Women Sports USA®, we celebrate the achievements and preserve the stories that help every generation understand its place in sports. The dates provide a starting point. The women behind them give us more to discover.
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Linda Herron is the Founder and CEO of Women Sports USA®, a former Division I field hockey athlete, coach, author, and business finance executive with over 40 years of experience. She uses storytelling to honor athletes, coaches, officials, and pioneers, preserving the history of women’s sports and inspiring future generations.
“Key Milestones in Women’s Sports History” is an inspiring look at the moments and trailblazers that changed athletics forever. Women Sports USA® does a fantastic job honoring the past while celebrating the future of women’s sports.