Dominique Dawes (b. 1976) is an American Olympic gymnast. She was the first African American female to win an Olympic gymnastics medal (the bronze in 1992) and was also the first to win an Olympic gold in gymnastics in 1996. She performed in a music video by Prince “Betcha by Golly Wow,” acted on a number of television shows, and briefly appeared on Broadway in a revival of the musical Grease, playing cheerleader Patty Simcox. She is now a renowned public speaker on certain issues relating to health, sports participation, equality, and self-esteem. She is also part of the advisory board for Sesame Workshop's "Healthy Habits for Life."
Dawes appeared in Season 29 of Sesame Street to demonstrate up, down, fast and slow to Telly Monster. She returned in Season 36 for a Healthy Habits for Life segment to do some froggy jumps with Rosita.