No. 99: Alice Coachman
Show Transcript
Listen to the episode on Spotify here.
What does it take to soar higher than anyone else when the world tells you that you don’t belong? How does a young girl from the segregated South leap over obstacles—both on and off the track—to become an Olympic champion?
Hi, I’m Shae, a PhD candidate at Harvard, and I’m here to bring you stories of extraordinary Black women who’ve changed the course of history. This is “100 Historic Black Women You Should Know By Election Day.”
Today, we’re jumping into the remarkable life of Alice Coachman, the first Black woman from any country to win an Olympic gold medal. Born on November 9, 1923, in Albany, Georgia, Alice grew up in a world where racial segregation and gender discrimination were the norms. But from a young age, Alice knew she was destined for greatness.
Denied access to training facilities and organized sports because of her race, Alice improvised. She ran barefoot on dirt roads and used homemade equipment to practice her jumps. Her dedication paid off when she joined the Tuskegee Institute’s track and field team, where she quickly made a name for herself as a high jumper. By the time she was 16, Alice was already a national champion, dominating the high jump and winning multiple national titles throughout her career.
But her crowning achievement came at the 1948 London Olympics. In a year when the world was still reeling from the aftermath of World War II, Alice Coachman made history. In August of 1948, she cleared 5 feet 6⅛ inches bar in the high jump, setting a new Olympic record and earning the gold medal. She was the only American woman to win gold in track and field at those Games, and she returned home as a national hero.
Alice’s triumph was more than just a personal victory; it was a powerful statement about what Black women could achieve, even in the face of systemic racism and limited opportunities. After her Olympic success, she was celebrated with a parade in her hometown, and even Coca-Cola took notice, making her the first African American woman to receive an endorsement deal.
Here’s a fascinating detail: Alice Coachman’s Olympic win was so iconic that it earned her a place on the list of the 100 Greatest Olympians. And to this day, she remains an inspiration, showing that with determination, nothing is impossible.
If Alice Coachman’s story of triumph over adversity has inspired you, don’t forget to hit subscribe and download this episode. For even more inspiring content, follow me on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel. And don’t miss our next episode—there are 98 more phenomenal women to discover. Until then, keep reaching for greatness. See you next time!
