August 7
Wilma Rudolph Wins Three Gold Medals
On August 7, 1960, at the Rome Olympics, Wilma Rudolph won gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, becoming the first American woman to win three golds in a single Olympics. Having overcome polio as a child, Rudolph became an inspiration and one of the greatest athletes in history.
Gwendolyn Brooks Born
Born on August 7, 1917, Gwendolyn Brooks became the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1950 for her collection "Annie Allen." Brooks served as Poet Laureate of Illinois and was appointed Poetry Consultant to the Library of Congress. Her work captured the everyday lives of Black Americans.
Alice Coachman Wins Olympic Gold
On August 7, 1948, Alice Coachman won the high jump at the London Olympics, becoming the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal. She set an Olympic record with her winning jump. Despite her achievement, she returned to a segregated South.