#30: A True Inspiration

Wilma Rudolph was an American sprinter and Olympic champion who made history when she became the first American woman to win three Gold medals in an Olympic event. That should be impressive enough on its own, as back in the sixties, women were barely allowed to participate in sporting events.

What makes her story even more inspiring is that Rudolph had polio as a kid and was unable to walk without a leg brace until she was twelve years old. Despite that, she became interested in sports in high school and went on to become one of the most accomplished female sprinters in the history of the U.S.