Dominique Dawes is a retired American gymnast, widely regarded as one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes. Born on Nov.  20, 1976, in Silver Spring, Maryland, she made history as the first African American woman to win a team Olympic gold medal in gymnastics. 

She won a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Dawes also won a team gold that year, as well as two team bronzes in 1992 and 2000. 

She was also the first African American woman to win an individual medal in Olympic gymnastics, which she achieved as part of the “Magnificent Seven” during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Dawes is now a four-time Olympic medalist.

After retiring from competition in the late 1990s, she went on to work as a motivational speaker, a gymnastics commentator, and a tireless advocate for children and fitness. Her achievements have earned her a spot in the U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fame, and she remains an influential figure in the world of gymnastics and beyond.

After her retirement, Dawes did an interview with The New York Times, where she discussed her climb to success. “I think in any industry, it is competitive. There are a certain number of slots out there and opportunities out there. So you need to make sure that you’re always on the top of your toes, trying to get better.”