Rebecca Lobo
Athlete
Born: Hartford, Connecticut

As a high school and college athlete, a member of the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team in 1996, and a player on three Women’s National Basketball Association teams, Rebecca Lobo has distinguished herself on and off the court.

“My mother never wanted my gender to be something that would limit me in any way. Young girls need to realize they really can do whatever they want, even if there aren't a lot of women doing it already.”

Lobo began playing on boys' basketball teams because there were no teams for girls. The leading scorer of either gender in her state's high school history, the 6'4” Lobo was recruited by more than 100 universities. At the University of Connecticut, she led the Lady Huskies to their first NCAA basketball championship. Lobo played for the WNBA's New York Liberty and two other teams before retiring in 2003 to pursue other challenges.

“Sports breaks down a lot of the barriers that people might otherwise have. You see each other as teammates, not as black or white or Hispanic.”

Rebecca Lobo, athlete. Photograph by Luis Mallo, taken at the Lobo residence, Simsbury, Connecticut

After her mother was diagnosed with cancer, the two of them established a scholarship at the University of Connecticut to encourage diversity in the health professions. In addition to raising money for breast cancer, Lobo also supports pediatric AIDS causes.

“I try to live my life the right way, like my parents taught me. When I think of achievement, I don't think of awards or bank accounts. I think of someone who has done the most with what they have, of someone who makes a difference in other people's lives.”