In a world where women have been forced to take second place or face abuse from their superiors in order to make it in a 'man's world', there are those who wake up every day and strive to prove that they are the very best. They stand up to the obstacles in their way, and show that they can use their bodies to do what no one else can.
While they may not get the same pay or fame as their male counterparts, their strength and endurance in the sporting world is a testament to what women everywhere can accomplish.
Serena Williams
Not only No.1 in the world of women's tennis, Serena Williams is definitely one of the greatest players of all time, period. She holds the most Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles combined among active players, has set many all-time records (male or female) in national and international tournaments, and has won four Olympic gold medals so far.
On top of all this, it was revealed that she recently won the 2017 Australian Open while 8 weeks pregnant!
Hope Solo
The 36-year-old athlete has an impressive record of finding a way to rise to the top and being awarded for her impeccable talent. She is arguably the best soccer goalkeeper in the United States, and has taken the national team to victory many times over.
She gained notoriety when she took the U.S. team to the semifinals of the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2007, and won gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.
She currently holds records in wins, shutouts, appearances, and has the longest undefeated streak out of U.S. goalkeepers.
Ronda Rousey
Affectionately nicknamed "Rowdy", Rousey has fought her way to the top of many sporting leagues and made a name for herself as a not-to-be-messed-with personality.
She was the first woman from the U.S. to earn a medal in judo at the 2008 Summer Olympic games, and was the woman's champion of mixed-martial-arts in two separate leagues. During her time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, she won 12 consecutive fights before falling in the finals.
She has been described as the most "dominant" active athletes in the world, was the highest paid fighter in the UFC (male or female) in 2015, and was the third most searched person on Google in the same year.
But she's not the only female athlete that has refused to slow down...
Danica Patrick
Another best-of in our list of female superstars is Danica Patrick, who is without a doubt the most successful woman in the history of open-wheel racing in America. Throughout her career, she has not only set records in female divisions, but beat out many men in the same competitions, proving that racing is about the best driver, no matter what their gender.
She was the first woman to win an IndyCar Series in 2008 at the Japan 300, took third at the 2009 Indianapolis 500 (highest ever finish by a woman), and set the fastest qualifying lap in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series since 1990.
In her business portfolio, she is also known for having the Most Watched Superbowl commercial in 2009 for GoDaddy.
Her wheels just keep on turning!
Candace Parker
There's something extra special about seeing players get rewarded for the incredible feats that they accomplish!
So it goes with Candace Parker, professional basketball player, currently playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, and has time and time again proven herself to be the most dedicated member of the Women's National Basketball Association.
Among many achievements, she was the first woman to slam dunk in an NCAA tournament game, was picked as Rookie of the Tear in 2008, has been name the most valuable player on four separate occasions in championship and All-Star games, and won two Olympic gold medals for the U.S. national team.
Her endorsement deals with Adidas and Gatorade just show how well-respected she is as a athlete and as an icon to aspiring players.
Lindsey Vonn
This seasoned Olympian has a dizzying career of highs and has made such an impression in her abilities that even when she is unable to compete is asked to provide expert analysis of the sport she has done so well on.
A world-class alpine ski racer, Lindsey Vonn has an absolutely stacked history of wins, in more than one field. She has four World Cup championship wins, was the first woman to win the gold medal in downhill skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics, holds a record 16 wins of World Cup season titles in three different disciplines, and has won a career-total 77 World Cup races.
Called the most successful American ski racer in history, she has been victorious in all five types of alpine skiing on the world stage, and when she was recovering from an injury in 2014 worked as an expert correspondent during the Olympic games in Russia.