It’s Black History Month. Therefore, there will be an abundance of coverage on websites, television, podcasts, and more involving African-Americans. Naturally, we’ll hear about known stories, but I would like to focus on unsung narratives involving African-Americans in sports. I will give perspective on how they impacted sports today, whether it’s an individual, team or particular moment. We continue our series with American Track and Field pioneer, Willye White.
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We justly revere the past and present track legends such as Florence “Flo-Jo” Griffith Joyner, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Wilma Rudolph and Allyson Felix. However, we often forget about Willye White. The two-time silver medalist blazed past the cotton fields in the Mississippi Delta into Olympic lore. While she doesn’t have the achievements and notoriety as those mentioned before, there is no denying her impact on the sport.
Sure enough, White’s celebration goes beyond medals. She broke through barriers not only as an African-American athlete but as an American, so to call her a trailblazer is an understatement. She became the first American track and field athlete to compete in five Olympics (1956-72).
The highlight of her career came in 1956 where she competed as a 16-year-old in the Melbourne Olympic Games. She became the first American woman to medal in the long jump by winning a silver medal. Her Olympic success didn’t stop there as she earned another silver medal in 1964 in Tokyo.
In addition to being a celebrated Olympian, she won nine consecutive United States outdoor championships, setting seven American records. After her track career ended, she added even more accomplishments when she earned a degree in public health administration from Chicago State University. From there she worked over 30 years in Chicago.
In 1999, Sports Illustrated recognized her for being one of the greatest athletes of the century, hallmarking her impact as an Olympian.
Since 1896, American women have performed at a high level as Olympians. It’s easy to say that American women have dominated multiple sports in the Summer Games. From women’s basketball and gymnastics to track and field, there are no quarrels about who’s been atop of that realm.
Along with their athletic achievements, American women also transformed the landscape of sports in general by overcoming unwarranted challenges. As American women, especially in track and field, some had to combat racial and gender stereotypes, which kept them from being properly recognized.
Last week marked 10 years since Willye White passed away, but her story as an athlete and philanthropist should remind us that hope, courage, hard work, and talent can help us overcome some of the hurdles placed in front of us.
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