Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph was an American sprinter who became the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympics, at the 1960 Rome Games.
Remarkable for overcoming childhood polio that left her leg paralyzed, she became one of the most celebrated athletes of the civil rights era.
Her name sometimes evokes triumph over adversity: She's the Wilma Rudolph of our generation.
Paralytic viral infection
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- determinationFirmness of purpose
adversity · triumph · childhood illness · walking · rehabilitation · disability · strength · resilience
Element seventy-nine
- medalistCompetition award recipient
- RomeItaly's capital city
- 1960Start of a decade
- sprinterShort-distance racing specialist
relay · 100m · 200m · champion · athletics · podium · record · victory
First to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- role modelPerson others emulate
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
- African-AmericanU.S. ethnic identity category
women's sports · mentorship · scholarships · hall of fame · groundbreaking · equality · empowerment · inspiration
Brief maximum-speed effort
- dashQuick burst or pinch
- fastestMost rapid of all
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
swift · fleet · pace · explosive · starting blocks · spikes · finish line · burst
polio
Paralytic viral infection
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
determination · adversity · triumph · childhood illness · walking · rehabilitation · disability · strength · resilience · miracle
gold
Element seventy-nine
sprinter · relay · 100m · 200m · champion · athletics · podium · record · victory · semifinals
trailblazer
First to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- role modelPerson others emulate
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
African-American · women's sports · mentorship · scholarships · hall of fame · groundbreaking · equality · empowerment · inspiration · autobiography
sprint
Brief maximum-speed effort
acceleration · swift · fleet · pace · explosive · starting blocks · spikes · finish line · burst · quick