Black History Month
Today starts the first day of Black History Month for 2015. We have to know our history or we will always repeat our past.
Tell us who is your most influential person……
Tag: blackhistory
Evolution of Fashion
Evolution of Fashion
By: Ms. J
The evolution of fashion in the black community has provided a diverse way for many to express themselves, their ideas and beliefs. As the month of February winds down, I’d like to take this time to honor a woman who made a major fashion contribution to African American history.
Ever wondered who was the first black fashion designer?
Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph
By: Ms. K
Wilma was born June 23, 1940 in Saint Bethlehem Tennessee. Rudolph had to wear a brace on her left leg when she was younger because she was stricken with Polo. She over came her difficulties with physical therapy and having determination. “My doctors told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.” She would become a gifted runner. She went through her trials and tribulation as a child but she had a mother who was supportive and believe she can get better.
Did you know that Wilma was the first American Woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympics in 1960.
Gold 1960 Rome 100 m
Gold 1960 Rome 200 m
Gold 1960 Rome 4×100 m relay
After the Olympics games in Rome, Rudolph made several appearance on television and received several honors. She even received the Associated Woman Athlete of the Year Award, not once both twice for 1960 and 1961. Rudolph retired from competition and became a teacher and a track and field coach.
Wilma Rudolph said “Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose … If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.”
Read more at:
Winter Olympics
Vonetta Flowers
Ms. K
The Winter Olympics started this past Friday February 7, 2012 in Russia. But did you know who was the first black woman to win a winter Olympics? A Woman who’s journey changed from her original plan. A woman who never imagined her life would go beyond running track and field to exploring bobsleigh that would led to her being the first black woman to win Gold in the Winter Olympics. The FIRST black athlete to earn winter gold was USA’s Vonetta Flowers in the women’s bobsleigh, at Salt Lake City in 2002.
Vonetta Flowers was born October 29, 1973. Vontta started running at 9 years old. Vonetta journey has always loved track and field. She had the honor to qualify for both 1996 and 2000 for Olympic trails. She still was not able to make a spot on the American team. After competing in the 2000 trails and didn’t qualify she felt it was time to retire from Track and Field, and start a family. Her husband Johnny directed her in a different direction after seeing a flyer urging Track and Field to try out for U.S. bobsled team. Vionetta background in track field help her have an advantage in bobsledding. She quickly become number 1 brake woman in the U.S. A year later Vionetta and her partner Jill Bakken slid into history by winning the Gold.
Read the whole story:
http://www.vonettaflowers.com/story.asp
Video:
Rated S 