Use the menu below to read our biographies of the century's greatest sportswomen and then tell us who you think should be No. 1. Also, be sure to check out our expanded home page and our new issue which is on newsstands now.

1972-
Most prolific scorer in the history of women's soccer.

Hamm is peerless in her popularity.  Walter Ioss Jr.

Whether you are a fútbol fanatic or don't know a cleat from a hightop, chances are you know Mia Hamm. She is one of the most talented players ever to boot a soccer ball—and surely the most popular. In May, Hamm scored her 108th career goal, making her the world's alltime leading scorer, an accomplishment that outshines her many others (four NCAA titles at North Carolina, an Olympic gold medal, two World Cup championships, five U.S. Female Player of the Year awards). Growing up as an Air Force brat, Hamm made friends of new teammates by blowing them away with her acceleration, dribbling finesse and willingness to plow through anybody to score. Even today, the soft-spoken striker is most at ease on the field, out of the spotlight. "I'm just a soccer player," she says. "That's pretty much all I know."

--Dimity McDowell

Athletes were selected by Sports Illustrated For Women, Sports Illustrated and CNN/SI editors, writers and correspondents who considered the athletes' on-field performance and achievements, plus their contributions to women's sports. Because athletic achievement was a key criterion, women whose contributions were made solely in administration and coaching are not included.

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