1940, Wilma Rudolph was born on this day in Clarksville, Tennessee. A polio victim, she overcame her condition at the age of 12 and was able to walk again. She went on to become an athlete as she headed to JHS. The coaches at her school spotted her talent early on. She was playing for the basketball team of her junior high school, when she was spotted by the track and field coach. While attending Burt High School, Rudolph became a basketball star, setting state records for scoring and leading her team to the state championship. She went on to win three gold medals at the Summer Games in Rome, the first American woman to achieve this feat in a single Olympiad.
After her athletic career, Rudolph worked as a teacher, track coach, and sports commentator.
At age 54, Wilma Rudolph died in her home in Brentwood, Tennessee of brain cancer.
In 2004, the United States Postal Service issued a 23 cent postage stamp featuring Rudolph.
Mrs. Rudolph, we say your name, we say your name, we honor you!
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