Black History Month Fact -- Meet Wilma Glodean Rudolph

Story by Radio One

Wilma Glodean Rudolph was born prematurely on June 23, 1940 at 4.5 pounds the 20th of 22 siblings from two marriages.

Rudolph contracted infantile paralysis (caused by the polio virus) at age four. She recovered, but wore a brace on her left leg and foot (which had become twisted as a result of the paralysis) until she was nine. She was required to wear an orthopedic shoe to support her foot for another two years. In addition, by the time she was 12 years old she had also survived a bout of scarlet fever.

Despite all of these health challenges, Rudolph became a basketball star setting state records for scoring and leading her team to the state championship. By the time she was 16, she earned a berth on the U.S. Olympic track and field team and came home from the 1956 Melbourne Games with an Olympic bronze medal in the 4×100 meter relay.

At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, she won three Olympic titles: in the 100 meter, 200 meter and 4×100 meter relay. Rudolph ran the 100-meter dash in an impressive 11 seconds flat. Her time in the 200-meter dash was 23.2 seconds, a new Olympic record. After these wins, she was hailed throughout the world as "the fastest woman in history".

In 1963, Rudolph was granted a full scholarship to Tennessee State University where she received her bachelor's degree in elementary education. After her athletic career, Rudolph worked as a teacher at Cobb Elementary School, coaching track at Burt High School, and became a sports commentator on national television. Wilma Rudolph was also a Professional Golfer.