Jackie Tonawanda, dubbed "the Female Ali" Born Jackie Garrett in New York on Sept. 4, 1933, was a pioneer female heavyweight boxer from the 1970s and 1980s. Tonawanda was a well-known figure in the sport and was featured in many newspaper articles and magazines. In 1975, Jackie sued the New York State Athletic Commission. Jackie Tonawanda went to court against then-boxing commissioner Edwin Dooley, who refused to grant her a license because state law had discriminated against women from professional fighting.