Women Blazing the Trail

Sky Brown was just four years old when her father posted a recording of her skateboarding to social media. The video went viral. Soon, the young girl began competing in skateboarding competitions around the world, often against skaters much bigger and older than she was. She also began winning. And winning. When Great Britain assembled its first Olympic skateboarding team, Sky was named part of it. She became the nation's youngest summer Olympic medalist, and a worldwide favorite. Part of the Women Blazing the Trail series, Sky Brown, Skateboarder tells the story of a young woman determined to reach the top of a sport long dominated by men.

Growing up in Washington, D.C., Ketanji Brown Jackson knew she wanted to become a judge in the future. After studying government at Harvard University in the 1990s, she went on to earn a law degree at Harvard Law School. From there, she racked up years of experience working as a lawyer in both private practice and public defense. As a judge, Jackson presided over several federal courts. When President Joe Biden nominated her to the highest court in the United States, her confirmation would make history. Part of the Women Blazing the Trail series, Ketanji Brown Jackson, U.S. Supreme Court Justice tells the story of the first Black woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Nicole Mann became hooked on flying while attending the U.S. Naval Academy. The first time she rode in an F-18 fighter plane, she knew that she wanted to become a pilot. After flying dozens of missions in two U.S. wars, Mann made a visit to NASA that changed the course of her career. Inspired by the astronauts she met that day, she soon applied to become one herself. In 2023, Mann served as the commander of the SpaceX Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Part of the Women Blazing the Trail series, Nicole Mann, NASA Astronaut tells the story of how the first Native American woman in space went from the U.S. Marine Corps all the way to the ISS.

Jen Welter has always been drawn to sports. A natural athlete, she played tennis as a child. But an elite coach discouraged her from continuing with the game because of her small size. He thought she lacked the strength needed to excel in the game. A standout soccer player, she was also interested in American football. But there was no high school football team for girls. Welter didn't let this stop her from playing, and later coaching, the sport she loved most. Part of the Women Blazing the Trail series, Jen Welter, NFL Coach discusses the inspiring story of an athlete who used her abilities and knowledge to become the first female coach in the National Football League.

Greta Gerwig discovered her love of movies as a college student. After graduating, she began acting in low-budget films. She also started writing her own scripts. By 2013, she had written her first solo script. Four years later, this screenplay became the movie Lady Bird. Gerwig also directed the film, which was nominated for several awards. She returned to the director's chair again in 2019 with a new version of the classic Little Women. But it was Barbie that made Gerwig one of the most famous directors in the world today. The film earned an astounding $1.4 billion by the end of 2023. Part of the Women Blazing the Trail series, Greta Gerwig, Movie Director tells the story of how a young woman from Sacramento, California, became one of the most successful movie directors in history.

Diana Nyad was five years old when she learned that her last name meant "champion swimmer." It wasn't long before she decided to compete in swim races and marathons, breaking numerous records. When she decided to attempt a swim from Cuba to the United States, victory did not come easy. She made four attempts before achieving this longtime goal. Later, she wrote about her life and experiences in two memoirs. Part of the Women Blazing the Trail series, Diana Nyad, Long-Distance Swimmer tells the story of how a woman who refused to give up on her dream finally made it happen, becoming the first and oldest person to complete one of the most challenging journeys in long-distance swimming history.