By: Phoebe Shi

Allyson Felix is a legendary U.S. track and field sprinter. She is also an activist for women’s rights and Black maternal rights.

Felix first came into the picture in 2003, when she was 17 years old and qualified for her first World Championships. She’s won more World Championship medals and Olympic Medals than any other American track and field athlete. Felix has won 11 Olympic medals, seven of them gold, and 19 World Championship medals, 13 of them gold.

Not only is she an outstanding athlete, but she’s also an amazing mom. In 2018, Felix gave birth to Camryn, her daughter. Camryn was born weighing three pounds and seven ounces, and had to spend her first month in intensive care. One year later, Felix spoke to the U.S. Congress to raise awareness of maternal mortality.

“After enduring the two most terrifying days of my life, I learned my story was not so uncommon. There were others like me, just like me… Black like me, healthy like me, and doing their best, just like me. And they faced death like me, too,” Felix said.

Even though she isn’t going to be running professionally anymore after this season, Felix will still be doing her best to fight for women’s rights.

“I’m trying to leave the sport better than I found it, trying to support female athletes and women in general and fight for more equality,” she stated.