Women's soccer has achieved significant growth in the last decade. The impact has not only been on the field but also evident in its growth off the field. According to FIFA, the first historic match played by women was in 1895. However, the history dates back to the creation of the British Ladies Football Club, founded by women's rights activist Nettie Honeyball in 1894. Some say that women's soccer began a few years ago. The lack of exposure prevented recognition, but there were women and men who contributed to making it possible for women to be part of this sport. Research shows that England is the pioneering country in women's soccer. According to Diario La República, this country was preparing since the late 19th century. It all started with "an advertisement in the newspaper calling on women who wanted to apply to join the women's team. Thirty participants joined the publication, who were the pioneers in a country where football was only seen for men." The lack of knowledge of the history of women's football opens the door for various communicative pieces to highlight those who began the construction of what is seen today with greater potential. Many women have raised their hands from different roles on and off the field. That's why the SOMOS EQUIDAD - Latin American movement pays tribute to eleven women who are legends for their achievements over different centuries (19th - 20th - 21st), some leaving a legacy, others still working to leave it. Although there are many more women contributing to the development of women's football, these are the eleven selected who represent female empowerment through football: - Juana Gremler - Röthem, Germany: the first woman to promote physical education for girls and women in Chile, promoting team sports and ball games. With her academic experience in Germany, Gremler arrived in South American lands with the idea of working for education. However, upon arriving in Chile, she found differences in the education of men and women, so she fought to end those differences and, through sports, promote female empowerment. Reference: INDH (National Institute of Human Rights Chile) and Brenda Elsey's book "Futboleras." [Link to reference: https://defensoresydefensoras.indh.cl/defensores/derecho-a-la-educacion/juanagremler/#:~:text=Juana%20Gremler%20naci%C3%B3%20el%2022,primeros%20liceos%20p%C3%BAblicos%20de%20ni%C3%B1as.] - Amelia del Castillo - Spain: was the first president of a football club in Spain, specifically Club Atlético Pinto, which she founded in 1963. Her desire was to be a football coach; however, the Federation of her country prohibited women from being part of technical bodies, referees, and competing on the football field, so she decided to found a men's football club. Reference: marca.com [Link to reference: https://www.marca.com/futbol/2022/03/08/62273e1bca474145128b458c.html] - Nettie Honeyball - England: officially founded the British Ladies Football Club, the world's first women's football club. The women's human rights activist worked to show that women had an important place in society. Seeking alternatives to attract her gender, she decided to publish advertisements in newspapers to gather them and create football teams. On March 23, 1895, a women's football match was held with an attendance of 10,000 people, according to the chronicles of the time. Reference: as.com [Link to reference: https://as.com/futbol/2020/03/31/femenino/1585660525_989108.html] - Chan Yuen Ting - Hong Kong: the first coach to win a men's top-tier league in football history (Hong Kong). Her talent led her to be part of FIFA's technical study group for the 2023 Women's World Cup. Reference: South China Morning Post. [Link to reference: https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3227749/womens-world-cup-2023-hong-kongs-first-woman-bosstop-flight-mens-football-chan-yuen-ting-chosen] - Stephanie Frappart - France: acclaimed as the best female referee of all time, she was the first to officiate a men's football final (2019 UEFA Super Cup). She also officiated in the Men's World Cup, Olympic Games, Men's and Women's European Championship, UEFA Nations League, and FIFA Women's World Cup. Reference: FIFA [Link to reference: https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/es/member-associations/france/articles/stephanie-frappart-primera-mujer-arbitrocopa-mundial-qatar-2022] - Myriam Guerrero - Colombia: the first female coach of the Colombian Women's Football Team (2003) and the first woman to study football at the Central Institute of Physical Education in Moscow, Soviet Union. Thanks to her performance and experience, she came to Bogotá to promote women's football and contribute to its development. Reference: Myriam Guerrero and Fémina Fútbol. [Link to reference: https://feminafutbol.com/noticias/las-nuevas-generaciones-deben-saber-que-el-futbol-femenino-no-aparecio-en-el-2005-myriam-guerrero-5639/] - Vicki Sparks - England: the first woman to commentate on a match in the history of men's World Cups (Russia 2018). The journalist had the opportunity to make history in the match between Portugal and Morocco. Reference: record.com [Link to reference: https://www.record.com.mx/futbol-mundial-noticias/vicki-sparks-primera-mujer-en-narrar-un-partido-en-copa-delmundo] - Marta - Brazil: the all-time leading scorer in World Cups, both women's and men's (17 in total). The UN goodwill ambassador will play her sixth World Cup. She has won the FIFA World Player award five times, setting a record in women's football. She has been a promoter of gender equality in sports, using her platform to promote female participation and advocate for better conditions for female footballers. Reference: FIFA and Antena2 [Link to reference: https://www.antena2.com/futbol/mundial-femenino-de-futbol/quien-es-marta-la-unica-jugadora-que-disputaraseis-mundiales-de] - Christine Sinclair - Canada: the person who has scored the most goals at the national team level in the world. The Portland Thorns player broke the record with her national team, having played more than 322 matches and celebrated 190 times. Reference: FIFA and GOAL. [Link to reference: https://www.goal.com/en/news/more-international-goals-ronaldo-messi-meet-christine-sinclair-canadas-recordbreaking-star/1a6r50m8soq0m1poy7jit38uwq] - Lucila S andoval - Argentina: has been a standard-bearer for the struggle and visibility of the history of women's football. She is one of the main drivers of the declaration of August 21 as Women Footballers' Day in Argentina. Reference: Feminafutbol.com [Link to reference: https://feminafutbol.com/noticias/lucila-sandoval-dios-creo-el-arco-para-yo-poder-jugar-al-futbol-28703/] - Ana Carmona Ruíz "Nita" - Spain: was the first professional female footballer in Spain. In the 1920s, she had to pass herself off as a man to fulfill her dream of playing football. Reference: El Desmarque [Link to reference: https://www.eldesmarque.com/futbol/20220308/la-historia-de-veleta-la-mujer-malaguena-que-se-hacia-pasarpor-hombre-para-jugar-al-futbol_120268623.html] This information was taken from public sources.