LUDY GODBOLD AND THE FIRST WOMEN'S OLYMPICS
My newest book is Long-armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics (Charlesbridge Publishing), a nonfiction picture book about Lucile (Ludy) Godbold and her incredible experience at the Women's Olympics in Paris in 1922.
Adam Gustavson is the illustrator, and I can't say enough good things about his art, his choice of colors, and his ability to capture the true essence of Ludy's looks and personality.
WHO WAS LUDY GODBOLD?
Ludy was born in Marion County, South Carolina, on May 31, 1900. She had several siblings and an incredible mom who ran boarding houses in order to support the family.
Ludy set off for Winthrop College in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 1917, where she excelled in a variety of sports, including field hockey, basketball, and of course, track and field.
But here's the interesting thing. Although Ludy set school and national records in a variety of events, she didn't compete in the shot put until her final year at Winthrop in 1922. Thanks to encouragement and guidance from Coach Ruth Bartlett, Ludy excelled.
Coach Bartlett also opened doors for Ludy, taking her to a "try-out" meet in New York. As a result of her fine showing, she was one of fifteen women selected nationwide to represent the United States at the first Women's Olympics in 1922. (Thirteen women ended up competing for the US.)
Ludy competed in four events and two exhibition events, including the shot put.
THE WOMEN'S OLYMPICS
Not many people have heard of the Women's Olympics, but they are a fascinating part of women's sports history.
It all started when a feisty woman from France by the name of Alice Milliat became frustrated that the modern Olympics didn't allow women to compete in track and field events.
So, Milliat organized an international track and field meet known as the Women's Olympics. On August 20, 1922, athletes from five countries (including the United States) gathered to compete at Pershing Stadium in Paris, France. Twenty thousand fans attended.
Unfortunately, the International Olympic Committee became upset that the word "Olympics" was used. Milliat ended up changing the title to the "Women's World Games," and the international meet continued in 1926, 1930, and 1934.
Meanwhile, the modern Olympics began to include women's track and field events in 1928, but only allowed five events for women. The shot put was not a part of the women's competition until 1948.
Adam Gustavson is the illustrator, and I can't say enough good things about his art, his choice of colors, and his ability to capture the true essence of Ludy's looks and personality.
WHO WAS LUDY GODBOLD?
Ludy was born in Marion County, South Carolina, on May 31, 1900. She had several siblings and an incredible mom who ran boarding houses in order to support the family.
Ludy set off for Winthrop College in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 1917, where she excelled in a variety of sports, including field hockey, basketball, and of course, track and field.
But here's the interesting thing. Although Ludy set school and national records in a variety of events, she didn't compete in the shot put until her final year at Winthrop in 1922. Thanks to encouragement and guidance from Coach Ruth Bartlett, Ludy excelled.
Coach Bartlett also opened doors for Ludy, taking her to a "try-out" meet in New York. As a result of her fine showing, she was one of fifteen women selected nationwide to represent the United States at the first Women's Olympics in 1922. (Thirteen women ended up competing for the US.)
Ludy competed in four events and two exhibition events, including the shot put.
THE WOMEN'S OLYMPICS
Not many people have heard of the Women's Olympics, but they are a fascinating part of women's sports history.
It all started when a feisty woman from France by the name of Alice Milliat became frustrated that the modern Olympics didn't allow women to compete in track and field events.
So, Milliat organized an international track and field meet known as the Women's Olympics. On August 20, 1922, athletes from five countries (including the United States) gathered to compete at Pershing Stadium in Paris, France. Twenty thousand fans attended.
Unfortunately, the International Olympic Committee became upset that the word "Olympics" was used. Milliat ended up changing the title to the "Women's World Games," and the international meet continued in 1926, 1930, and 1934.
Meanwhile, the modern Olympics began to include women's track and field events in 1928, but only allowed five events for women. The shot put was not a part of the women's competition until 1948.