The year was 1948, & being a woman in sports looked a lot different than seeing Angel Reese on the cover of Vogue Magazine during a late night Walgreens run. In fact, to most people, it probably didn’t look like anything at all. But thankfully, that didn’t stop Alice Coachman from inking her name in the History Books.
Born in Albany, Georgia, during a time when Women’s Sports garnered little to no attention, Alice had the impossible to do, with hardly the resources to make it happen. At an early age she was encouraged to pursue athletics, however due to the color of her skin she was denied access to training facilities & even the ability to participate in many competitions. Determined, Alice made no excuses. You hear stories of her training barefoot on dirt roads or using makeshift equipment to practice her high jump. From age 16 - 26 Alice dominated the National Track & Field landscape. Winning 10 consecutive championships in both sprinting & high jump, while also being a star guard on the Tuskegee Women’s Basketball team.
With the cancellation of the 1940 & 1944 Olympics, due to World War II, Alice was unable to compete on the World Level until the London Olympics in 1948. Alice qualified for the United States team with a high jump of 5ft 4in & took home the Gold with a world record 5ft 6in leap! After what I’m sure felt like a lifetime, Alice became the first ever black woman to earn a gold medal.
Alice’s status quickly rose to celebrity upon returning back to the states. From meeting with President Truman to becoming the first Black Woman to endorse an international company - the mega giant - Coco Cola. Alice continue to receive accolades throughout the remainder of her life - Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (1979)…USA Track & Field Hall of Fame (1975)… United States Hall of Fame (2004)… & many more.
Alice Coachman stood tall in the face of adversity, as giants do. As we continue to stand on her shoulders remember to give thanks to her & all those who paved the way for the world we live in today. Thank you Alice!