#11: Allyson Felix: Track and Field and Motherhood Advocacy
Allyson Felix is one of the most amazing track and field athletes out there. She won her 12th World Championship gold medal in 2019, which broke the record formerly held by Usain Bolt – the fastest man alive. What’s more, she broke this record a mere 10 months after giving birth to her daughter via C-section.
Felix has used her clout as a top athlete to push for change surrounding motherhood and athleticism. Alongside other mothers in professional sports, Felix called out Nike’s abysmal policies surrounding maternity leave and motherhood for their marketed athletes, and Nike responded by actually creating a new maternity policy. She is showing the world that women are powerful because of their roles as mothers, not despite it.