Wilma Rudolph

By Arlisha R. Norwood, NWHM Fellow | 2017

Despite existence told equally a child she would never walk again, Wilma Rudolph relentlessly pursued her dreams becoming an international rail and field star. At the height of her career, "the fastest woman in the world" used her platform to shed light on social issues.

Wilma Glodean Rudolph was built-in on June 23, 1940 in Saint Bethlehem, Tennessee. As i of 22 children, she was constantly surrounded by support and intendance, which she needed given her poor wellness. Rudolph survived bouts of polio and reddish fever. Her illness forced her to article of clothing a brace on her leg. Rudolph'southward diagnosis was very bleak, "my doctor told me I would never walk again. My female parent told me I would. I believed my mother." Together, Rudolph's parents and siblings took turns taking care of her. They would ofttimes remove her leg brace and massage her injured leg. At the age of half-dozen, Rudolph began to hop on one leg. By viii she could move around with a leg brace. At the age of 11, Rudolph'south mother discovered her playing basketball outside. She quickly turned to sports, condign a natural athlete. She was nominated as All-American in basketball game during high school. Withal, after a hazard meeting with a college motorbus she turned to track and field.

While still in high school Rudolph competed on the collegiate level. She competed in the 1956 Olympic games and won a statuary medal in 4x100 relay. Four years later, Rudolph headed to the 1960 summer Olympics determined to become gold. Her performance in Rome cemented her every bit one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. She won three gold medals and broke at least 3 world records. Rudolph became the first American woman to win iii aureate medals in rail and field at the aforementioned Olympic game. Her performance also earned her the title of "the fastest adult female in the globe."

Returning habitation an Olympic champion Rudolph refused to nourish her homecoming parade if it was not integrated. She won the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year honour in 1961. The following year, Rudolph retired from rail and field. She went on to finish her degree at Tennessee State University and began working in education. She connected her involvement in sports, working at several community centers throughout the The states. She was inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame and started an organization to help apprentice rails and field stars. In 1990, Rudolph became the first woman to receive the National Collegiate Able-bodied Clan's Argent Anniversary Award. The indoor runway and dormitory at Tennessee State University are named in honor of Rudolph. In 1977, her life was the subject of a prime-time television movie. Rudolph died of a brain tumor on Nov 12, 1994.

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