Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Female Athletes Dominating Sports
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 10, 2026
1. Female Athletes Dominating Sports Marker
Dominique Dawes Lusia Harris Althea Gibson
Female athlete pioneers Dominique, Lusia, and Althea broke barriers with firsts that made history. The French Championships marked Althea's first Grand Slam victory as the first African American to do so. Gibson won five Grand Slam singles tournaments in total. Lusia is the only woman officially drafted by the NBA and the first African American woman inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Dominique Dawes won Olympic gold with the U.S. Women's Gymnastics team as well as an individual bronze medal becoming the first African American to win an individual Olympic medal in women's gymnastics.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports • Women.
Location. 39° 6.513′ N, 77° 33.34′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. It can be reached from the intersection of East Market Street (Route 7) and Sycolin Road Southeast, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 407 E Market St, Leesburg VA 20175, United
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Entrepreneurs Excelling Inside & Outside of Sports (here, next to this marker); Male Athletes Dominating Sports (here, next to this marker); Women Breaking Barriers Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (here, next to this marker); African American Inventions (here, next to this marker); African American Inventors (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Women Breaking Barriers Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (a few steps from this marker); Musicians Who Changed Styles & Genres of Music (a few steps from this marker);
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 10, 2026
2. Female Athletes Dominating Sports Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 45 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
