Alice Coachman

First Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal, breaking gender and racial barriers in athletics

Alice Coachman (1923–2014) made history at the 1948 London Olympics as the first Black woman to win a gold medal, dominating the high jump with a record-breaking 5 feet 6.25 inches. Growing up in segregated Georgia, Coachman trained barefoot on dirt roads and crafted makeshift equipment due to limited resources.

Despite racial segregation policies barring Black athletes from many facilities, she won 25 national titles and 10 consecutive AAU high jump championships from 1939–1948. Her Olympic victory challenged stereotypes about women’s athleticism and African American capabilities. Post-retirement, she founded the Alice Coachman Track and Field Foundation to support young athletes.

Coachman’s achievements paved the way for icons like Serena Williams and Simone Biles. She was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in sports equality.