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Wilma Rudolph

36.164049, -86.832092

Description

Wilma Glodean Rudolph (1940-1994) was a champion sprinter born in Saint Bethlehem, Tennessee. After overcoming physical disabilities as a result of contracting polio, in 1960 Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals for track and field in a single Olympic games. Rudolph attended Tennessee State University where she trained under coach Ed Temple. After retiring from competition sprinting, she taught, coached, and ran a community center. Rudolph died fin 1994 ollowing a battle against brain cancer, but her legacy remains as one of the fastest women in the world.

Title Wilma Rudolph
Creator Nashville Historical Foundation
Author Marley Abbott, MTSU Student; 2019
Date 1940; 1960; 1994
Address 3500 John E. Merritt Boulevard
Type Person
Coverage Area 4
Source Wilma Rudolph
Contributor Ed Temple
Subject African Americans; Education; Health and Disease; Sports; Neighborhoods
Keywords Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State, Tennessee State University, Colleges, Universities, Tigerbelles, Olympics, Track and Field, People, North Nashville, Wilma Rudolph
Rights CC BY-NC 4.0