They had to work harder to compete with their male counterparts. The National Library of France celebrates the resilience, courage and perseverance of female athletes from the 19th century to the present day. Richly documented by 256 photographs, press articles and magazine covers, this feminine story relates the victories of anonymous people and the exploits of true champions such as the Belgian aviator Hélène Dutrieu, the British sprinter Mary Lines or Violette Morris, heavyweight discus thrower and complex personality in History recognized as the most successful sportswoman of the Roaring Twenties, men and women combined.