Wilma: Wilma Rudolph

Wilma Glodean Rudolph was born on June 23, 1940 in Clarksville, Tennessee to Ed and Blanche Rudolph. Wilma's parents were hard-working, honest stock, however with the impact of the Great Depression still affecting millions of Americans they were very poor. Ed worked as a railroad porter and Blanche as a housekeeper to wealthy white families.

Wilma was the 20th child of a family of 22, born prematurely and at only 4.5 pounds! She was born with polio and as a result of the diease was crippled and was unable to attend school. Her mother educated her at home in her early childhood, also having to bring her to a hospital for blacks 50 miles from their home twice a week and rubbing Wilma's legs 4 times a day on account of her polio. Wilma eventually attended a segragrated blacks only school when she was seven, but was unable to walk normally until she was 12.

In junor high Wilma's sister Yolanda joined the school basketball team, which sparked Wilma's interest who also joined the team. Clinton Gray, the school coach, was reluctant to play Wilma, and she had to sit out the first two years with the school team on the bench. She got her opportunity in her sophomore year as standing guard and setting state records for scoring and leading her team to championship. She was spotted by the famous Tennessee Tigerbells track coach, Ed Temple. Temple was impressed and invited Wilma to train with Tennessee State's summer camp.
As a result of her time with Tennessee State track coach she got a scholarship to the university and recieved a bachelor's degree in 1963, after taking time out to become the international track superstar that she is now famous for.

Wilma won inclusion to be part of the USA Olympic team for the 1956 Olympic's in Melbourne, Austraila at the age of 16. That year she won an Olympic bronze as part in the 4x100m relay USA team. However, her ultimate accomplishment came in 1960 at the Olympic Games in Rome where she won three gold medals for the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay (see our video section for footage). As a result of these amazing accomplishments she won the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States of America.

After her successes on the track she became a teacher, coach and sports commentator. in 1963 she married Robert Eldridge and the couple had four children Yolanda (1958), Djuanna (1964), Robert Jr.(1965) and Xurry (1971). Wilma wrote her autobiography in 1977, entitled 'Wilma' which was later adapted into a television movie.
Wilma Rudolph died on November 12, 1994 at the age of 54 in her home in Nashville, Tennessee. She had been diagnosed with brain cancer. In 1997, Governor Don Sundquist proclaimed that June 23 be now known as Wilma Rudolph Day in Tennesse.