Mildred Ella Didrikson was born June 26, 1911, in Port Arthur, Texas, but when she was a little more than three years old, she and her family moved to Beaumont, Texas (Schoor 12). As a young athlete Babe displayed drive and determination to accomplish the goals she set for herself. “Babe” came later when she began hitting home runs in baseball (Schoor 12). Babe’s father Ole Didrikson was a ship’s carpenter and cabinetmaker and Babe’s mother Hannah Marie Olson had been an outstanding skier and skater (Schoor 11). Hannah gave birth to seven children Dora, Esther Nancy, Ole Jr, Louis, Lillie, …show more content…
In 1932, Babe held world records for the baseball throw, 80-meter- hurdles, Javelin, and high jump (Schoor 170). From 1946-1947 Babe had 17 golf tournament victories in a row (Schoor 173). In 1932, 1945,1947, 1950, and 1954 the Associated Press voted her “Woman of the Year” (Babe Didrikson Zaharias Biography). In 1950 the Associated Press acclaimed Babe “Athlete of the Century”(Babe Didrikson Zaharias Biography). She was also the very first American to win the British amateur golf title in 1947 (). Finally Beaumont, Texas designed April 12,1956 “Babe Zaharias Day” (Schoor 160).
Babe Didrikson was the world’s reknown woman athlete because she was extremely determined to accomplish her goals, she was so competitive in being the best, and she was extremely successful in her abilities. At a young age Babe Didrikson knew what she wanted to do with her