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This week closes out Black History Month, but Black history doesn’t stop at the end of February. Part of honoring this month is acknowledging that Black history is being made daily and isn’t just Black history but American history. While you may know that there have been Diversity meets in the past (Illinois Swimming usually puts one on each year), you probably don’t know about the Black History Invitational which would have celebrated it’s 35th year this month. The meet started in the 1980s as a dual meet between D.C....
That Boston University only has one All American women’s swimmer in the school’s history? As we continue to honor Black History Month we’d like to introduce you to Sybil Smith. Smith was the first Black female swimmer to be named a first-team Division I All-American in 1988, and the only All-American in Boston University women's swimming history. She went on to be an assistant coach for the Harvard University swim team where she coached our WILD Board President Kaari Reierson (who brought Smith to my attention!). Read her bio here....
That only 1% of USA Swimming’s membership identify as Black? It’s Black History Month and as we celebrate Black history in swimming these coming weeks, it’s important to remember that Black history is also being made today and every day. This week we’re highlighting Ed Accura, writer and producer of A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim. According to the film’s description it’s “about a Black Briton whose fears and anxiety of not being able to swim and drowning is dramatized as he battles with the stereotypes set by society.” Accura...
In honor of Black History Month, we’ll be highlighting Black people and their role in swimming these next few weeks. Due to segregation, disinvestment and accessibility, swimming pools were hard to come by in Black neighborhoods. Along with several other factors, this has had an effect on communities of color to this day, leaving the sport with majority white athletes. In 1964, during the Civil Rights Movement, Mimi Jones was 17 when she jumped into a “whites only” pool at a hotel in St. Augustine, Florida. A young activist since...
The Tour de Ski is a cross-country skiing event that takes place in Europe and is modeled after the Tour de France. This year, Rosie Brennan will be the first U.S. cross-country skier to start the eight stage Tour ranked number one. After several injuries, illness, getting cut from the Olympic team twice, the death of her father and some self doubt, she persevered and has gone from never ranking higher than 17th to first in the overall standings. Brennan credits the pandemic with her being able to train with,...
DYK That Martin Luther King Jr. lived in the Lawndale neighborhood in Chicago in 1966? King moved to Chicago to work on the Chicago Freedom Movement, a campaign to expand civil rights activities from the south to north. He moved into an apartment on the west side in Lawndale to raise awareness of poor living conditions in black neighborhoods. Out of this movement there were two major marches in July and August that brought about an agreement with Mayor Daley to open up housing opportunities. Dr. King, other activists, community...
In professional sports dominated by men, female coaches have been breaking barriers in every major league association. Recently, Becky Hammon, Assistant Coach for the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), stood in as acting Head Coach on December 27th against the L.A. Lakers. Hammon became the first female ever to be a Head Coach for the NBA, a major milestone for women and girls everywhere. Her time as Head Coach may have been limited to that game, but the belief that she is capable of coaching in the NBA has not. Former...
That Anthony Nesty from Suriname is the first black swimmer to win an Olympic Gold medal? Nesty, not considered a favorite in the 1988 Olypmics, beat Matt Biondi in the 100 Meter Butterfly (some of you may have heard of the Biondi drill in practice). Biondi was farther from the wall than he thought for his finish and had to take an extra kick. This gave Nesty just enough time to touch him out by 1/100th of a second! Great finishes truly matter! Read more about Nesty here.
After committing to USC at 16 (and then uncommitting), coming out as gay and the death of her father, Erica Sullivan has struggled with her Mental health. Through therapy and self acceptance, Erica has been able to Continue her journey in training for the 2021 Olympics. “At the end of the day, I can do nothing but own it and be myself.” Read Sullivan’s story here. *Update: Erica Sullivan made her first Olympic team for the 2020(1) team in the 1500 Free!
