Citation for Allyson Felix

Allyson Felix. Activist. Risk-taker. Businesswoman.

Not to mention the most decorated track and field athlete in history. Period.

A sprinting legend, you have won 11 Olympic medals, seven of them gold. And in 2019 you broke Usain Bolt’s record for holding the most track and field World Championship gold medals — 10 months after giving birth to your daughter, Camryn.

Listing your athletic accomplishments could fill an hour. But your sprinting career is just the beginning of your story. “It’s taken a journey to find my voice,” you’ve said. And these days, your voice is as powerful as your athletic ability.

Many were surprised when you spoke out in the pages of The New York Times against Nike, your longtime corporate sponsor, for not guaranteeing pay protections during and after pregnancy. “I’ve always known that expressing myself could hurt my career,” the op-ed began. But you put principle above personal interest, knowing, as you’ve said, that “once one woman steps up, that gives courage for another one to join.” Thousands did just that, leading Nike to change their policy.

But financial equity was not your only concern after your emergency C-section at 32 weeks because of a severe case of preeclampsia. Recognizing that implicit racial and gender bias in the medical field had threatened the lives of both you and Camryn, you testified before Congress about the crisis of Black maternal and infant mortality and have become an outspoken advocate for equity in pregnancy and birthing care.

Your child advocacy extends well beyond the nursery. You have traveled around the globe, inspiring girls to empower themselves through sport. To them and to girls and women everywhere, you continually set an example of all that is possible. “We’re telling the next generation they can do anything,” you’ve said. “We need to back that up.”

You’ve also backed it up by venturing into the world of business. When you couldn’t find an ideal women’s running shoe for the recent Tokyo Olympics, you didn’t settle for second best. “I was tired of asking for change,” you’ve said. “I knew I needed to create it.”

So last June, with your brother Wes, you launched Saysh, a shoe store with shoes designed specifically for women. A resounding success, Saysh delivers more than just some of Oprah’s favorite sneakers ever. Last month, you announced a groundbreaking return policy: if you own a pair of Saysh shoes and the size of your feet change due to pregnancy, you will get a free replacement pair.

You’ve announced your plans to retire from running after this year. And though we would not be the least surprised if you add more hardware to your medal collection before the year is up, you’ve made your larger intentions clear. “This season, I’m running for women,” you said. “I’m running for a better future for my daughter. I’m running for you.”

By always running for us and always speaking your truth — by, as you’ve written, using your voice even when it shakes — you have taught us to seize every opportunity we’re given to grow and to fight even harder, for ourselves, our children, and the world.

Allyson Felix, for being a true champion in every sense of the word, it’s my pleasure to present you with a Barnard 2022 Medal of Distinction.