Final answer:
Althea Gibson, a tennis player, was the first woman athlete to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1957, marking a significant event in sports history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first woman athlete to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated was tennis player Althea Gibson in 1957. She was a pioneer in her sport, breaking barriers as the first African American to compete at the U.S. National Championships in tennis and the first to win a Grand Slam title. Her appearance on the Sports Illustrated cover further underscored her significance in the world of sports.
Learn more about Althea Gibson