Dominique Dawes, Maryland Women's Hall of Fame

Dominique Dawes

Dominique Dawes is an Olympic Gold Medalist, three-time Olympian, brand ambassador and motivational speaker. She is the only American gymnast to medal at three different Olympic Games in the team competition and the first African-American gymnast to win an Olympic Gold medal. Dominique paved the way for other young African-American gymnasts to strive for Olympic glory. At the 1996 Atlanta Games, Dominique became the first female African-American gymnast to win an individual medal, capturing bronze with her floor exercise performance, helping solidify her place in the USOC Hall of Fame.
After years of dedication to gymnastics and a brief stint on Broadway, this University of Maryland graduate retired to focus on her passion to encourage, educate and motivate others on the topics of health, fitness and empowerment. Dominique has served as a co-host for Yahoo! News' Weekend Edition and as an Olympic correspondent for FOX Sports. As part of FOX Sports' analyst team during the 2012 London Olympic Games, Dominique recapped daily events and conducted a sit down interview with All-Around Gold Medalist Gabrielle Douglas. While in London, Dominique was also interviewed by top national media including USA Today, Piers Morgan and Good Morning America. She was also a part of the President and First Lady's Olympic Delegation and had the privilege to conduct an interview with the First Lady.
Dominique, appointed by President Barack Obama, served as the co-chair of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition alongside NFL Quarterback Drew Brees. Through this program she worked closely with the First Lady to help promote the Let's Move! initiative, educating children on fitness and nutrition while motivating them to get moving.
Dominique was born in Silver Spring, MD on November 20, 1976. Today, she is a highly requested keynote speaker who delivers powerful and inspiring messages on leadership, personal drive, building your foundation for success and living a healthy lifestyle. She has the unique ability to empower audiences, from corporate executives and small business owners, to women's groups and moms, universities and youth organizations.
ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Three-time Olympian ('92, '96, '00)
Olympic Gold Medalist ('96 Atlanta); member of the "Magnificent Seven"
Olympic Bronze Medalist on Floor (Individual Event)
1st African-American Gymnast to win an individual medal
Only one of three female American gymnasts to compete in three Olympics
Only American Gymnast to win a Team Medal at three different Olympics

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Co-Chair of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (2010 to present)
Good Morning America Special Correspondent (Rio 2016)
FOX Sports Olympic Analyst (London 2012)
Yahoo Correspondent (Beijing 2008)
President of the Women's Sports Federation (2004-2006), the youngest President in the Foundation's history
First spokeswoman for the Girl Scouts of the USA's "Uniquely Me" self-esteem campaign

"As an athlete, my sole focus was on the pursuit and dream of winning an Olympic gold medal - thus solidifying my mark in history. Today, as a mother of four kids, my dream is to ensure that my kids have a happy childhood. Unlike an Olympic gold that will fade in time, a happy childhood will last forever."
Biography courtesy of the Maryland Commission for Women, 2019.