Wilma Rudolph

1940-1994

Track Athlete

By: Lia Fresenko and Sarah Walton 2°

Wilma Rudolph was born June 23, 1940 in St. Bethlehem, Tennessee. She was 17 out of 21 children.

The World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago: World Book, 2002. Print.b

At the age of four, she suffered an attack pneumobia, scarlet fever, followed by polio.

The World Book Encyclopedia . Chicago: World Book, 2002. Print.u

For several years, her family messaged her leg 4 times a day; she wore a metal brace for several years. She was unable to walk until age 11.

"WILMA RUDOLPH." Tennessee History for Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/people/wilma_rudolph

She was 17 out of 21 children; her father was a porter, and her mother was a maid. They were poor and lived in an outhouse.

"WILMA RUDOLPH." Tennessee History for Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/people/wilma_rudolph

At the age of 16, she was the first women to win 3 gold medals in track at the 1960 Olympics.

McGovern, Mike. The Encyclopedia of Twentieth-century Athletes. New York: Facts on File, 2001. Print.

Wilma set records in the 100m and 200m. She won the 100m,200m, and 400m relay.

Rudolph, Wilma." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.biography.com/people/wilma-rudolph-9466552>.

Wilma got pregnant at the age of 17 and did not participate in sports her senior year of high school.

"WILMA RUDOLPH." Tennessee History for Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/people/wilma_rudolph>.

In 1960 and 1961, she was awarded the associated Press Women Athlete of the year award.

"Rudolph, Wilma." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.biography.com/people/wilma-rudolph-9466552>.

In 1963, she earned a college degree and raised 4 children.

McGovern, Mike. The Encyclopedia of Twentieth-century Athletes. New York: Facts on File, 2001. Print.

She chose not to participate in the 1964 Olympics, by the time she was teaching at her former elementary school.

"WILMA RUDOLPH." Tennessee History for Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/people/wilma_rudolph>.

After retiring from competition, she worked with young people in both sports and education programs.

McGovern, Mike. The Encyclopedia of Twentieth-century Athletes. New York: Facts on File, 2001. Print.

In 1975, her book was turned into a t.v show called Wilma.

"Rudolph, Wilma." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.biography.com/people/wilma-rudolph-9466552>.

1980, she was inducted into the U.S Olympic Hall of Fame and established the Wilma Rudolph foundation to promote amateur athletics.

1980, she was inducted into the U.S Olympic Hall of Fame and established the Wilma Rudolph foundation to promote amateur athletics.

1980, Inducted into Women's Sports Foundation Hall of Fame.

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1993, Wilma was Honored as one of the National Sports Awards "Great Ones."

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Wilma Rudolph died of brain cancer on November 12, 1994 in Brentwood, TN.

McGovern, Mike. The Encyclopedia of Twentieth-century Athletes. New York: Facts on File, 2001. Print.

Soon after she died in 1994, a new formitory at Tennesse State University was named after her, and the Governor named June 23rd "Wilma Rudolph Day."

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Wilma Rudolph

In 1974, Wilma was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. In 1997, she Received the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Silver Anniversary Award.