5 trailblazing women in sports

Women are making their mark in the male-dominated world of professional sports like never before.

Here are five leading the charge.

Hayley Wickenheiser

The decorated Canadian Olympian who made her name on the ice wearing red and white now wears blue and white, after she was named assistant director of player development by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the summer.

What brought Wickenheiser to Kyle Dubas' staff wasn't his desire to hire a woman, but to simply hire the best candidate for the job. And that was Wickenheiser.

The 40-year-old is one of the first women to be hired in her position in the NHL.

Becky HammonMark Sobhani / National Basketball Association / Getty

Hammon made history in 2014 when she was named assistant coach of the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, becoming the first full-time female assistant in the big four professional sports leagues.

The 41-year-old starred in the WNBA, being named an All-Star six times and one of the league's top 15 players of all time.

It won't be long before she's coaching her own NBA team.

Serena WilliamsChris Trotman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

There's Serena, and there's everyone else.

Her stupendous resume speaks for her:

• 23 grand slam titles
• 801-136 career record (85.49%)
• 72 WTA titles
• Olympic gold medalist
• Over $88 million in career earnings

Tennis has never seen anyone like Serena before, and likely never will again. She's the greatest of all time.

Ronda RouseyEthan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Before Ronda Rousey made history in the Octagon, she made it on the mat as the first American woman to medal in Judo at the Olympics, winning bronze in 2008.

But it's in MMA where Rousey truly made her mark, dominating the sport for over two years, and making history along the way as the UFC's first female champion. She was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in August.

Michelle WieGregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It feels like Michelle Wie's been around forever and that's because - at only 29 - she has.

Wie's been in the spotlight most of her life, becoming at the time the youngest to qualify for an LPGA Tour event when she was only 12. She turned pro in 2005 at 15, was a millionaire by 16, and won her first major - the U.S. Open - in 2014 at 24.

Wie's now a veteran on tour, and somehow still shy of her 30s, and her impact on golf cannot be denied.

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