Wilma Rudolph was born prematurely on June 23, 1940 to a railroad porter and a maid. She was the twentieth of twenty two siblings. She became stricken with polio as a child, and developed problems in her left leg, so she became required to wear a brace. Soon though, she was able to overcome the disease as well as her resulting physical abilities. (Biography.com)
Rudolph grew up in the south before segregation was outlawed so, for her education she attended the all black, Burt High School, where she played on the basketball team. A gifted runner, she was soon recruited to train with Tennessee State University track coach, Ed Temple. (Bibliography.com)
As wikipedia states, “By the time she was sixteen, she earned a berth on the