As Women’s History Month shines, female athletes in 2026 are redefining influence both on and off the field. Many of these women, especially professional athletes, use their platform to inspire the next generation. Recent events like the FIBA World Cup and the 2026 Winter Olympics show how much athletes inspire young viewers whether it’s about positivity or dedication.
One of the biggest names in figure skating is Alyssa Liu. Liu is an American figure skater who has caught the attention of Gen Z all over the web, mostly for her striking two toned striped hair and her positive attitude on the ice. At the age of five, Liu was already on the ice. By the age of 12, she was the youngest U.S World Champion for ice skating in 2019.
In 2022, Liu announced her retirement at just 16 years old.
“I honestly never thought I would’ve accomplished as much as I did,” Liu said. “I’m so happy, I’m so happy. I feel so satisfied with how my skating career has gone.”
However, this didn’t last for long, as she announced her comeback in 2024 with an Instagram post.
With her outstanding Olympic performance in 2026, Liu acquired lots of attention, people asking for her autograph, and even soon-to-be ice dancers looking up to her. The reason for being such a hero online is mostly about body positivity, being kind and most importantly self love.
Similarly in the world of boxing, Claressa Shields, a heavyweight boxer, has made history time and time again. Shields became the first American boxer to win back to back gold in the Olympics.
She continues to inspire her hometown of Flint, Michigan, and sets an example for generations to come by being the first of her family to graduate from high school, proving you can make something of yourself even coming from less. Even more astonishing, in her whole entire career, Shields has only lost one of her matches, proving how worthy she is. She constantly sets an example for young girls around her.
“Confidence is believing in yourself. Being humble is, even though you believe in yourself and you know what you’re capable of, you still work 10 times harder than your opponent to make sure you get the output you want,” said Shields.
Caitlin Clark is an American basketball player playing for the Indiana Fever. Recently, Clark was named the MVP of the FIBA World Cup because of her constant leadership as a point guard, leading her team to a 5-0 record at the World Cup. During her rise to fame, the USA point guard created the “Caitlin Clark effect” through all different sports, encouraging girls to “use their voice” on and off the court.
From a local perspective, Sarah Strong, a basketball star playing at UConn started her basketball career right in Wake County. From a young age, Strong played basketball throughout middle school and then transferred to Grace Christian High School in 2020, graduating in 2024, being ranked #1 in the country. Although the sophomore forward is timid off the court, on the court, Strong has drive leading the Huskies to be undefeated. From an early age, Strong played on a boys basketball team. Strong was often looked over in this team just because she was a girl, but this only made Strong work harder on the court. Strong represents that you can prove people wrong. Her “strong” mindset sets examples for young rising basketball players, wanting to be just like her.
Many FVHS athletes like sophomore Kylie White, a goalkeeper for the womens soccer team, have their own personal heroes they look up to.
White said, “I really look up to Brittany Wilson [a retired soccer player]. I learn from her videos a lot, and I overall really like watching her. I feel like part of me relates to her because I also play goalie just like she did.”
Another female athlete here at FVHS is Sreshta Vellanki. As a sophomore Bengal on varsity volleyball for two years Vellanki said, “Someone I look up to is Kerri Jennings. She’s an Olympic beach volleyball player. She’s inspiring because in the 2008 Olympics, she played through a shoulder injury. Overall she’s known for her leadership mindset and her commitment under pressure.”
Whether it’s a rising rookie or a retired champ, female athletes pave the way for new generations. March is just a small spotlight of what these athletes do on a daily basis.
