A sportswoman is a woman or girl who participates in sports, either recreationally or professionally. The term can describe anyone from a weekend tennis player to an Olympic champion. While athlete can refer to anyone who plays sports, sportswoman often emphasizes someone who plays with skill, dedication, and good character.

When someone calls a girl a good sportswoman, they usually mean she plays fairly, handles both victory and defeat gracefully, and respects her opponents. A true sportswoman might congratulate the other team after losing a close game, or help an injured opponent off the field even during competition.

Throughout history, sportswomen have broken barriers and expanded what people thought was possible. Billie Jean King fought for equal prize money in tennis. Wilma Rudolph overcame childhood polio to win three Olympic gold medals. Jackie Joyner-Kersee dominated track and field events while inspiring young athletes everywhere. Today, sportswomen compete in every sport imaginable, from soccer and basketball to rock climbing and martial arts.