Wilma Rudolph

Wilma Rudolph (http://usinfo.state.gov/infousa/life/people/images/rudolph.jpg)

My hero is Wilma Rudolph because of her courage and kindness. I also chose her because she is inspiring and talented.

Wilma Glodean Rudolph was born June 23, 1940 in Clarksville, Tennessee then on November 12, 1994 in Nashville, Tennessee at age fifty-four Wilma died of brain cancer. Wilma was the twentieth child of the twenty-two born to Ed and Blanche Rudolph. At first, Wilma was tutored at home because she was crippled. She started school at age seven when the schools were still segregated. While in junior high Wilma played basketball. She also did track, but she trained at a Tennessee State summer camp. Wilma decided to become an athlete after having the: measles, mumps, scarlet fever, chicken pox, and finally polio which was weakening and deforming Wilma's left leg and foot. Wilma couldn't walk normally until age twelve. After graduating from high school Wilma received a full scholarship to Tennessee State because of her track career

Wilma holding her medals (http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/Wilma_Rudolph.jpg)

At age sixteen she participated in the 1956 Olympics and won bronze in the 4x4 relay. Then, in 1960, in Rome, Wilma became the first American woman to win three gold medals in the Olympics. Winning three gold medals made Wilma the most celebrated woman in history. Wilma's awards included: United Press Athlete of the Year 1960, Associated Press Women Athlete of the Year 1960, James E. Sullivan Award for Good Sportsmanship 1961, The Babe Zaharias award 1962, European Sportswriters' Sportsman of the year, Christopher Columbus Award for Most Outstanding International Sports Personality 1960, The Penn Relays 1961, New York Athletic Club Track Meet, The Millrose Games, Black Sports Hall of Fame 1980, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame 1983, Vitalis Cup for Sports Excellence 1983,and the Women's Sports Foundation Award 1984. Wilma's greatest accomplishment though is when she insisted that her Homecoming Parade wasn't segregated. Wilma started her own non-profit organization, The Wilma Rudolph Foundation, as an athletic program for underprivileged youth in the ghettos of sixteen major cities. The foundation had free coaching for a variety of sports and they also offered academic assistance and support. In 1997, Governor Don Sundquist proclaimed that June 23 was Wilma Rudolph Day in Tennessee.

Wilma running (http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/54/84654-004-E93741F1.jpg)

Wilma has inspired me by the courage she showed during her numerous sicknesses. It also inspired that she insisted that her Homecoming Parade wasn't segregated. It showed that she cared for everyone. Another way she showed that she cared for everyone was when she created her non-profit organization for the underprivileged youth. She made it so everyone loved her and the night after the homecoming parade the townspeople held a banquet in her honor and for the first time in Clarksville History both blacks and whites turned out. Wilma taught me to stand up for myself and to speak my thoughts.

Wilma's face on a stamp. (http://assets.stepinsidedesign.com/stepicons/15414.jpg)

Wilma is someone who is very inspiring to me and many others. That is why I chose her as my hero.