Alice Coachman: Black Fitness History Episode #16

In an era when the odds were stacked against her, Alice Coachman leaped over obstacles that went beyond the high jump bar. Born in the segregated South in 1923, she grew up in Albany, Georgia, a young girl with a dream that would defy expectations and inspire generations.

Alice's journey began humbly. Growing up in the Jim Crow South, she faced economic hardship and social limitations. Because of her race and gender, she was denied access to formal training facilities, and many coaches and track programs were closed to her. But Alice found her way to practice—running barefoot, jumping over makeshift hurdles made of rags and ropes.

Determined and relentless, Alice used whatever resources she could find to hone her skills. She developed a natural talent for jumping, running, and competing, and soon her skills caught the attention of teachers and coaches at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, where she earned a scholarship.

Tuskegee offered Alice her first true opportunity to train and compete seriously, where she went on to dominate national competitions. She won ten consecutive national championships in the high jump from 1939 to 1948, breaking barriers and records along the way.

Alice was ready for international success, but the 1940 and 1944 Olympics were canceled due to World War II. For over a decade, she had been a powerhouse in the sport, yet she hadn’t had the chance to show her talents on the world’s largest stage.

Finally, in 1948, Alice’s chance arrived at the London Olympic Games. As the only Black woman on the U.S. Olympic track and field team, she was not only representing her country but was also carrying the hopes of Black Americans, especially Black women, with her. With one leap, Alice Coachman made history. She cleared the bar at 5 feet, 6 and 1/8 inches, winning gold and becoming the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal for the United States.

Her achievement was monumental—not only for her but for the entire Black community. President Harry Truman and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt recognized her accomplishments, and Coca-Cola selected her as their first African American spokesperson, a role that brought her into homes across the nation.

After the Olympics, Alice returned home to a divided nation, yet she continued her work, breaking barriers even after her athletic career. She became a teacher, a mentor, and an advocate for young athletes, particularly young Black women who looked up to her as a symbol of possibility.

Alice Coachman passed away in 2014, but her legacy lives on. She remains an inspiration for all those who dare to jump over barriers, break records, and defy expectations. Alice Coachman didn’t just make history; she paved the way for others to make history too.

Alice Coachman—a champion, a trailblazer, and a legend. Her story reminds us all that sometimes, when we reach high enough, we can lift an entire generation with us.