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 The 20th of 22 children, Wilma was a sickly child left so crippled from polio, doctors said she would never walk normally again.
She fought this fate with a stubbornness shared by her parents, beat her polio
by age 12, became involved in both basketball and track and, by age 16, went
to her first Olympic Games. She won a bronze medal and returned four years
later to become the first woman in the United States to win three gold medals
in one Olympics.
Wilma finished college through a work-study program and then traveled throughout
the United States inspiring others with her story. Her courageous life teaches
children the power of hard work, determination and self-belief in achieving
one's goals.
RELATED CURRICULUM SUGGESTIONS:
- Self-Esteem Units
- Units on discrimination
- The writing of biographies
- Disability-Awareness Units
- Multi-Cultural Awareness Units
- Units on the Civil Rights Movement
- The subjects of Social Studies, Language Arts and Physical Education
 SPECIAL CELEBRATION DATES:
- September, 1960 - Wilma became first American woman to win three gold medals
in one Olympics
- October - Disability Awareness Month, National Book Month
- October 16-22 - National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week
- November, 1956 - Wilma won a bronze medal in the Olympics
- November 13-19 - American Education Week
- November 14-20 - Children's Book Week
*For specific tie-ins to your state's curriculum and learning standards,
please call our office.
TESTIMONIALS:
CHICAGO:
"She did a wonderful job holding the students attention
and dealing with the ideas on a level to which they could relate."
-- Primary Teacher, Gifford School, Elgin
"This program teaches how education
prepares you for life, not just a moment of glory, and it also teaches persistence
to overcome difficulties in one's life."
-- Fifth Grade Teacher, Clissold School, Chicago
BOSTON:
"The performance was excellent . It kept the kindergarten
class captivated. She really made you feel she was the character, not an actress.
-- Kindergarten Teacher, Franklin School, Medford
"It was truly a learning
experience of considerable magnitude. I have seldom had the privilege of attending
an assembly where the material and method were so masterfully accomplished."
-- Sixth Grade Teacher, Canterbury Street School, Worcester
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL:
"Inspirational! The kids sat in awe. We
could use more positive messages like this these days."
-- Primary Teacher, Hoover School, Coon Rapids
"One of the best assemblies
I have seen in 31 years. It was fun, serious, well-paced, creative and at
the kids' maturity and interest level."
-- Fifth Grade Teacher, Chelsea School, St. Paul
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