Women’s hockey has come far.
 
Over the years, there’s been traction.  There’s been growth to the point there are more role models from diverse groups which motivate and inspire girls all over the world.
 
There’s also leadership that inspires positive change. Change not just within the sport, but also the communities they live in and globally.
 
What has emerged are a group of women who have made history and continue the push, while inspiring others. Here are five women who lead the charge for change in making hockey for diverse, equitable and diverse for everyone.
 

Sarah Nurse - CAN

Nurse became a trailblazer when she etched her name in the history books as the first Black woman to win a gold medal in Olympic hockey. The forward set two records in a single Olympic tournament for most points and assists on route to the gold medal at the 2022 tournament in Beijing. Nurse also earned a silver medal at the 2018 Olympic tournament in Pyeongchang. Representing Canada at the IIHF Women’s World Championship level, she led the team to two gold medals, a silver, and a bronze medal in four appearances.
 
That same year, Nurse became the first woman to grace the cover of an EA Sports game, this one being NHL23. She has championed equity, diversity, and inclusion in and beyond the sport. The forward is a role model for many young girls, tapping into her potential and aiming for continual improvement. She uses her platform to be a leading voice in a community where there are few players that they can relate to or role models. 
She is the face of the new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) as she continues her playing career with Toronto. Nurse has taken a leadership role on the executive committee of the PWHL Players’ Association to help address race issues in the sport. 

Fatima Al Ali - UAE

Al Ali has broken stereotypes and paved the way for others on and off the ice. She represented her country as part of the United Arab Emirates women’s national team. Impressed by her stickhandling skills one day at an Abu Dhabi rink, NHL great Petr Bondra posted a viral video of her. It changed her life as the national team participated in the NHL’s “Hockey is for Everyone” event, which included an opportunity to skate with the Washington Capitals.
 
The United Emirates player would move on to make history as the first Arab female official at an IIHF World Championship. She would also become a global ambassador for the NHL. Al Ali is an advocate for women’s hockey in the Middle East, using her platform to champion diversity and inclusion for the women’s game.

Kelsey Koelzer - USA

Koelzer became the first Black female head coach in NCAA hockey history when she took on the role at Arcadia University. As an advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, Koelzer led the charge for change through leadership roles. Those included Advisor to the Commissioner for the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL), the NHL, and the NHLPA Female Hockey Advisory Committee. She was instrumental in a campaign for Willie O’Ree to receive the Congressional Gold Medal Act for his contributions and commitment to opportunity and inclusion in the sport.
 
Previous to her coaching career, Koelzer made history as the first Black player to be selected first overall in a North American hockey league draft. In the 2016 NWHL draft, the New York (Metropolitan) Riveters selected her. Koelzer led the team to the Isobel Cup in 2018. With the NCAA Division 1 team, Princeton Tigers, Koelzer had 100 points in 121 games. Koelzer was named the first-ever Princeton women’s hockey first-team All-American.

Akane Shiga – JPN

This past December, Shiga became the youngest and only player from Japan to crack the PWHL roster when she signed a one-year contract with Ottawa. She paved the way for other Japanese women to aspire to chase their dreams from afar.
 
The Japanese forward has participated in four IIHF Women’s World Championships. Shiga led the national team in scoring during the 2021 and 2022 tournaments. She scored Japan’s only goal of the tournament at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

Abby Roque – USA

Roque made history in 2022 as the first Indigenous athlete to play for the US national women’s team. The forward helped the United States capture silver at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games that year.
 
Roque is one of two Indigenous players in the new PWHL, signing a deal with New York. Before the PWHL, the forward had a stellar NCAA career with the University of Wisconsin Badgers. In 155 games, Roque had 170 points and was named Western Collegiate Hockey Association Offensive Player of the Year twice. Roque has inspired younger Indigenous players, showing courage and strength while playing on boys’ teams as a youth.