Alice Coachman

Coachman was an American athlete who specialized in the high jump. She is known for being the first African American woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal.

                    Early life    

 Coachman was born on November 9, 1923. She was born in Albany, GA she has 9 siblings and she was one out of 10 children.

                Training

Coachman didn't have access to training facilities or equipment, so she ran barefoot on the dirt roads by her home and created her own equipment with what she had available to train her jumping.

                    Athletics

Coachman joined the track team in high school.  At 16 she earned a scholarship to Tuskegee Institute.  After graduating with a degree in dressmaking. Then she went to Albany State College where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics.  Later becoming a teacher and Track-and-field coach.

Adulthood

Coachman had two Husbands in her life. The first one she had his name was N.F. Davis and she 2 kids with him. Her 2nd husband she didn't have kids with him.

            Athletic Career

Coachman competed in many events during her athletic career.  Over her career she won 34 National titles- 10 for high jump alone.  She broke many records in high school and college.  The 1948 Olympics was her shining moment.  She won the gold medal for high jump with a 5-foot 6" jump, breaking the previous record.  She was the only woman to win a gold medal in track and field sports.  She retired from competing at the age of 24.

Character Traits

Coachman was Brave, Kind, and is Amazing.

She persevered through a time when she was on her own to pursue her dreams due to societies racial tensions.