Women's History Month: The Pioneers of the WNBA

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, look back through the years at some of the WNBA’s pioneering women.

: Sheryl Swoopes, the first-ever player signed by the WNBA, dribbles the ball during Game 1 of the 1999 WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. The Comets defeated the Liberty 62-49.

: (L-R) Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, and Lisa Leslie hold basketballs designating the new WNBA teams to which they were assigned on January 22, 1997, for the league’s inaugural season. Swoopes was assigned to Houston, Lobo to New York, and Leslie to Los Angeles.

: Becky Hammon of the San Antonio Spurs chats with Nancy Lieberman of the Sacramento Kings prior to the game on October 8, 2015 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. The former WNBA players are the first two female assistant coaches in NBA history. Former WNBA coach Jenny Boucek has since replaced Lieberman on the Sacramento Kings bench.

: Cynthia Cooper speaks during the Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Induction Ceremony at the Symphony Hall on August 13, 2010 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Cooper was the first WNBA player inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

: WNBA legends Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and Rebecca Lobo pose for a photo following the launch of the WNBA.

: Diana Taurasi, Tamika Catchings and Sue Bird celebrate after defeating Spain during the Gold Medal Game on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. The trio has matched the sport’s all-time record by winning four Olympic golds.

: The honorees of the WNBA Top 20@20 ceremony presented by Verizon celebrating the top players in WNBA history, during halftime of Game 1 between the Minnesota Lynx and the Los Angeles Sparks during the WNBA Finals on October 9, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

: The first-ever WNBA All-Star Game in 1999 — Top Row: (L-R) Ticha Penicheiro, Chamique Holdsclaw, Kym Hampton, Taj McWilliams, Vicky Bullett, Vickie Johnson, Teresa Weatherspoon, Rebecca Lobo, Jennifer Gillom. Middle Row (L-R) Michele Timms, Nikki McCray, Cynthia Cooper, Natalie Williams, Yolanda Griffith, Tonya Edwards, Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Merlakia Jones. Bottom Row (L-R) Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, Sandy Brondello, Nykesha Sales, Tina Thompson, and Shannon Johnson.

: Enshrinee Lynette Woodard speaks during the ceremony at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 10th 2004 in Springfield Massachusetts. In addition to her WNBA career, Woodard was the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters.

: Ann Meyers Drysdale and Stephanie Ready are seen before the game between Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns on January 6, 2015 — the first time both NBA teams in a game had female broadcasters. Meyers Drysdale became the first woman to sign an NBA contract when she tried out for the Pacers in 1980, later becoming the first-ever female color commentator for an NBA team with Indiana.

: Lisa Leslie poses for a portrait after winning the gold medal against Australia during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. It was Leslie’s fourth Olympic gold, tied for the most by any male or female basketball player.

: Teresa Edwards #4 of the United States Women’s National team runs the offense against the Korean Women’s National team during the 2000 Summer Olympics played September 28, 2000 in Sydney, Australia. Edwards won four Olympic gold medals, tied for the most by any male or female basketball player.