Olympian Allyson Felix: Sprinting To The Finish Line Fighting For Women's Equality

Allyson Felix, Olympian Track and Field Athlete PHOTO CREDIT: Allyson Felix

By, Olivia Eisenberg, The Fem Word Contributor

Allyson Felix has just qualified for her fifth Olympic Games, which she has announced will also be her last. In four Games, she earned 6 gold medals and 3 silver medals, making her the only female track and field athlete to ever win six Olympic gold medals. Felix is also tied with Merlene Ottey for the most decorated female Olympian in track and field history, with a total of nine Olympic medals.

Allyson with her daughter Camryn in Hello Kitty Team USA Collection

In 2018, Felix and her husband, Kenneth Ferguson, had a baby girl named Camryn. However, unforeseen complications before her due date left Felix and her unborn daughter’s life in jeopardy. When doctors discovered she had high blood pressure and her daughter’s fetal heart rate was slow, Felix was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and underwent an emergency cesarean section at 32 weeks. Luckily, after spending time in the neonatal intensive care unit, Camryn was able to safely return home to her parents. This traumatic experience made Felix realize that not even an Olympic athlete is immune to the high maternal death rates plaguing Black women in America. Black women in the U.S. are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, and in New York City, a Black woman is 12 times more likely to die during or after childbirth than a white woman. Since Camryn’s birth, Felix has made it her mission to learn more about the high risks of maternal death in Black women and to educate others.

After breaking up with Nike in 2019 and landing a sponsorship deal with Gap’s Athleta brand, this star is now a fighter for women's equality. She's partnered with Athleta to create a fund support mom athletes, and just launched her very own shoe business called Saysh, a lifestyle brand made by women for women.

At 35 years old, Felix will be racing in the 400 meter race in Tokyo.