Wendy Hilliard became the first African-American to make the U.S. Rhythmic Gymnastics Senior National Team when she was named to the team in 1978, which was the first of nine years spent on the national team.
Following competition, Hilliard served as chair of the Athletes’ Council of USA Gymnastics, USA Gymnastics’ vice president for rhythmic gymnastics and athlete representative to the U.S. Olympic Committee.
From 1995-1997, Hilliard served as the president of the Women’s Sports Foundation, the first African-American gymnast to hold that position. She formed the Wendy Hilliard Foundation in 1995 to provide funding for rhythmic gymnastics programs for inner-city children. She was the personal coach of 1996 Olympian Aliane Baquerot and has served as an analyst, host, and reporter for several television networks.
