LUDY GODBOLD
AND THE FIRST WOMEN'S OLYMPICS
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. Seventeen years later, she set off for Winthrop College in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she excelled in a variety of sports, including field hockey, basketball, & track and field.
Before long, Ludy 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 her best event -- the shot put!
THE WOMEN'S OLYMPICS ???
Not many people have heard of the Women's Olympics, so you aren't alone if you're curious.
They 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 what did Alice do? She organized her own 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.
But International Olympic Committee became upset that the word "Olympics" was used. Did Alice give up? Of course, not. She changed 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. Seventeen years later, she set off for Winthrop College in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she excelled in a variety of sports, including field hockey, basketball, & track and field.
Before long, Ludy 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 her best event -- the shot put!
THE WOMEN'S OLYMPICS ???
Not many people have heard of the Women's Olympics, so you aren't alone if you're curious.
They 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 what did Alice do? She organized her own 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.
But International Olympic Committee became upset that the word "Olympics" was used. Did Alice give up? Of course, not. She changed 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.