Are there any female MA celebrities?

[Sukerkin]

I was going to mention Cynthia Rothrock too - she is a martial artist that made films and became famous because of it (getting into the Hong Kong martial arts film 'scene' was a big deal back when she did it).

As to 'founders', well given the heavily parternalistic societies that the arts developed in, it is not surprising we don't really know of any female creators or famous practitioners,

[bluekey88]

Aren't some of the Koryu systems (thinking specifcially naginata and yari) founded or headed by women? Not that i can name any specific names...jsut something I heard or read someplace.

Peace,
Erik

[Live True]

Women Warriors of Japan (interesting link with info from an article in journal of Asian Martial Arts)

Women Warriors from 3500BC to the 20th Century (distinctly European and celtic info...but interesting none the less)

[IcemanSK]

Lily Rodriguez (RIP) sister of Benny Urquidez, was a great champion & trainer in her own right.

Bridgett "BabyDoll" Riley (babydollriley.net) multiple time world kickboxing & one time world boxing champion.

Christine Bannon-Rodriguez (no relation to Lily) was really big on the tournament circuit in the 80's.

In TKD, Brenda J. Sell, 8th Dan Kukkiwon. Arlene Limas, US Olympic Gold medalist '88.

Just to name a few.

[stacey]

Rusty Kanokogi has made news of late:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/pr...ook_judo.shtml

http://www.examiner.com/x-18784-NY-Martial-Arts-Examiner~y2009m9d3-NYC-Judo-heroine-honored-50-years-late

then there's Ronda Rousey, an Olympic bronze medalist from 2008. Oh she has a few world medals as well.

Her mom, of course, is a World gold medalist and president of the USJA.

Up and commer Katelyn Bouyssou just won the US Open 48K class. She was just in Sports Illustrated.

We could get into more women judoka, but I think this is a good introduction.

[David43515]

Can`t think of her name right off the top of my head, but Sam Kuoha (Kara Ho Kempo) has a daughter who is an EXTREMELY talented MA and also seems to have a really good head on her shoulders.

Has anyone mentioned Diana Inosanto? Dan`s daughter and she does lots of stuntwork for film and tv.