Table of Contents
How did Wilma Rudolph overcome adversity?
At the age of 12, Wilma could finally walk without the assistance of crutches, braces or corrective shoes. She decided to get involved in athletics, joining her junior-high basketball team. Battling through all of that hardship just to play junior-high basketball would have been enough.
How did Wilma Rudolph overcome polio?
Because of the treatments she received at Meharry and the daily massages from her family members, Rudolph was able to overcome the debilitating effects of polio and learned to walk without a leg brace or orthopedic shoe for support by the time she was twelve years old.
How did Wilma use her influence to fight against segregation in her town?
Wilma refused to attend her own celebration since the event would be segregated. Because of her protest, Wilma’s parade and banquet were the very first integrated events in her hometown of Clarksville. She went on to participate in protests in the city until the segregation laws were struck down.
What did Wilma Rudolph do for a living?
Amateur athlete, 1956-63; competed in track and field events at the Summer Olympic Games, 1956 and 1960; teacher, track coach, and consultant to civic and university athletic programs, 1963 —. Founder of Wilma Rudolph Foundation, a nonprofit organization for amateur athletics in Indianapolis, IN.
What kind of medals did Wilma Rudolph win?
Author of autobiography Wilma, 1977. Selected awards: Bronze medal, 1956 Olympics; gold medals in 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and 400-meter relay, all during 1960 Olympics; James E. Sullivan Memorial Trophy, 1961; member of U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
How many children did Wilma Glodean Rudolph have?
Early Obstacles. Wilma Glodean Rudolph was born June 23, 1940, in Bethlehem, Tennessee, to a poor and very large family. Her father, Ed Rudolph, had eleven children by an earlier marriage, and had eight more with Wilma’s mother, Blanche Rudolph. Wilma was the fifth of this second set of children.
Why did Wilma Rudolph wear a brace as a child?
Stricken with double pneumonia, scarlet fever and polio as a child, she had problems with her left leg and had to wear a brace. It was with great determination and the help of physical therapy that she was able to overcome her disabilities. My doctors told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.