At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina, Laila Edwards stepped onto the ice and into history. She became the first Black woman to compete for the U.S. Olympic women’s hockey team, marking a powerful milestone for the sport and for representation in winter athletics.
Edwards’ journey to the Olympics has been anything but ordinary. Raised in Ohio, she transitioned from figure skating to hockey and quickly rose through the ranks. At the University of Wisconsin, she became a standout star, winning national championships and establishing herself as one of the most dynamic players in college hockey.
According to ESPN, in 2023, Edwards already made waves as the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women’s senior national team. She followed that up with a dominant performance at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship, where she led the tournament in goals and earned MVP honors — the youngest player ever to do so.
Her Olympic debut is about more than goals or wins. In a sport that has long lacked diversity, Edwards represents progress, possibility, and visibility for young athletes who rarely see themselves reflected on the ice.
