Allyson Felix: Advocate for Women’s Health and Athlete Rights

Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field athlete in history with 20 World Championships and 11 Olympic medals has become a fierce advocate for women, particularly in maternal health rights. Beyond her athletic achievements, Felix has spoken out about the challenges women face, especially violence against women athletes. She expressed concern over the safety of women in some parts of the world, referencing the tragic death of Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who her boyfriend killed in Kenya.

Felix, a recent addition to the IOC Athletes’ Commission, believes in creating cultural change within sports and society to protect women athletes. She also emphasizes the need for stronger consequences and greater unity within the sports community. Felix’s advocacy also extends to maternal health. In 2018, she experienced severe pre-eclampsia and gave birth via emergency C-section.

This experience led her to speak out against Nike’s maternity pay policy, revealing how the company threatened to cut her pay by 70% due to potential performance impact from motherhood. Felix’s op-ed in The New York Times sparked change leading Nike and other brands to improve maternity protections for athletes.

Felix continues her advocacy through the launch of Always Alpha, a management firm focused on women’s sports. She aims to change how sponsors view and represent female athletes ensuring they treat women equally to their male counterparts. Felix has also addressed the racial disparities in maternal health, pointing out that black women in the US are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes.

She uses her platform to raise awareness about implicit bias in healthcare and to advocate for better outcomes for all women. With her recent $20 million grant from Melinda Gates, Allyson Felix pushes for global improvements in maternal health, hoping her advocacy will inspire future generations.