11 stories of female athletes who made their own rules

There is no denying it has been a monumental year for women in sports. Just this month, after a series of phenomenal performances, tennis star Serena Williams was named Sports Illustrated‘s 2015 “Sportsperson of the Year.” The U.S. women’s soccer team took a stand against being forced to play on turf, which they claim is a sexist practice, after their monumental World Cup win. And despite her heartbreaking loss in November, UFC champ Ronda Rousey threw enough punches this year to put her name, and women’s mixed martial arts as a whole, on the map.

But in many places around the world, women and girls struggle just to make it onto the court or into the ring. In Iran, for example, women are still banned from watching sports in stadiums. In Saudi Arabia, girls aren’t allowed to play sports in public schools. Even teams dedicated to women are sometimes dominated by men, as in the case of this soccer team in Iran, on which 8 of the players were found to be male.

For those who are able to play, participation in sports has proven to be life-changing for women and girls. Aside from improving physical health, sports boost self-esteem and build leadership skills. For young girls in poor and marginalized communities, sports can offer an alternative to early marriage and childbirth. Being part of a team can also provide access to community support networks, like those that provide reproductive care and HIV prevention services.

That’s why we’re excited to look back on 2015 and spotlight some of the female athletes whose stories haven’t made as many headlines as Venus or Serena, but are remarkable no less. Against the odds (and often, against the rules), these women and girls have excelled in sports they’re passionate about, and inspired others to do the same.