In the 1950’s women, and especially African American women were treated like property and they did not have the same rights as men. Many African American women in sports have been looked greatly upon for what they have done in the 1900’s. They took a stand for the rights they deserved, and it wasn’t easy but all of them made what is happening in the 21st century of America, possible today. Breaking racial and “color barriers” has proved that no matter what gender or race a person is, everyone has the same rights.
Alice Coachman became the first person black women to win an Olympic gold medal in high jump. Earning the Gold in the 1948 Olympic Games in London, becoming a icon for African American women athletes everywhere. Inspiring future Olympians like Evelyn Ashford and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Early on in her career Alice faced many issues, besides having to deal with her nine other siblings, Alice also had to deal with segregation.Because of her race she was barred from public training. Forcing her to use whatever she could to train, running and jumping barefoot on dirt roads and playgrounds. Coca-Cola signed Alice on after the Olympics, Making her the first African American women to endorse an international product. Alice Coachman was also inducted into nine different halls of fame, including the National Track and Field Hall of Fame (1975) and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame (2004)
Figure skater, Debi Thomas became the first African American figure skater to win the women’s title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 1986. As an African American skater, Thomas faced discrimination because of her race, from judges. They often gave better marks to her white competitors for what many saw as less impressive, she persevered however, and at the age of 12, Thomas advanced to the national novice. where she later won silver. Because of her color she gained much attention from whites, being the first to succeed as far as she did. Debi Thomas competed at the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada where she won the bronze in women’s figure skating.
Althea Gibson broke the color barrier in the world of tennis. She became the first African American to play in the Wimbledon tennis tournament in England and she shocked everyone with her unbelievable talent and passion for the sport. In 1956 Althea Gibson won the French Open and in 1971 she was introduced to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She dealt with a lot of frustration due to the fact that so much of the tennis world was closed of to African Americans. Even in sports blacks and whites were segregated. By 1953 Althea Gibson was placed as number 7 in the Top 10 players in the United States.
The Black Gazelle
On June 23, 1940 Wilma Rudolph was born sickly and premature. Through physical therapy and hard work, she soon became a very gifted runner. No one expected that the young girl born into Polio would later win 3 Olympic gold medals and change history. Many amazing African American women would soon follow her in the sport of track and field and be noticed for their talents. She was determined and later she achieved her goal and proved many people wrong. Wilma Rudolph did not only inspire runners and kids with disabilities but also African Americans that believed they would never be treated the same as whites. “I ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never give up, no matter what else happened,” said Wilma Rudolph.
Toni Stone signed to play professional baseball with the Indianapolis Clowns and the negro American League Champions in 1953. During World War II, Stone moved to San Francisco, playing first with an AAGPLB American Legion team. Then moving to San Francisco Sea Lions. After Jackie Robinson broke the “color barrier” in 1947 the black major leagues were weakening because the best black players were no longer available. Stone signed partly as an effort to get more publicity, she played about 50 games that season a. In the 1920’s it was considered unladylike to play a team sport. "A girl going to play ball was a disgrace to society," Toni said. She did not know this passion would lead her to becoming one of the few women ever to play professional baseball with men.
These five ladies are just a few examples of all the courageous African American women that have changed history. Because of what these women did we have amazing, talented athletes like Serena and Venus Williams, Jackie Kersee, and Sheryl Swoopes. The Williams sisters became Olympic gold medalists and well-known professional tennis players. Jackie Kersee became a legend in track and field and a Olympic gold medalists. Lastly, Sheryl Swoopes won 3 gold medals in the Olympics and was the first player to be signed with WNBA. These women proved people wrong and shaped our culture today. We owe them all a lot.