Reflections for May 2018

We look back on past events that took place this month, with a focus on sports and athletic achievements. At the end, you will also find a fun fact about something that was created during this time in history.

On May 29 1977, Janet Guthrie became the first woman driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500 since its creation 66 years prior. Janet was also the first woman to compete in the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Winston Cup Speedway Race.

Born in Iowa City, Iowa on March 7th 1938, Janet earned her pilots license at age 17. Her parents were also pilots, which fueled her enthusiasm. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in physics, she worked at Republic Aviation as a research and development engineer. She worked on projects that were the precursor to Project Apollo. In 1964, she applied for the first Scientist-Astronaut program, and got through the first round of eliminations. Ultimately, she was disqualified when a doctorate was made a requirement.

 

In 1963, Janet got involved in racing, which like being a pilot can be a very thrilling adventure. For the next 9 years, her career as an engineer helped fund her racing quest. By 1972, she committed to racing on a full time basis. Janet slept in her car outside of the racetrack. She had no sponsorships and funded everything herself. She built her own engines and did all the repairs to her car.

Janet’s big break came in 1976 when she was asked to test drive a car for the Indianapolis 500 by team owner and car builder Rolla Volllstedt.

Janet’s best finish was 5th place in 1979 at the Bettenhausen 200. Her last major race was the Daytona 500 in 1980. Regardless of her accomplishments, the male-dominated field of racing did not welcome a female driver. She tried to find sponsors, but her career fizzled out due to lack of funds.

 

Some other achievements include:

•  Fastest time of day, opening day practice, Indy 500, 1977
• Fastest time of any driver, second weekend of qualifications, Indy 500, 1977
• Top Rookie at Rockingham, Charlotte, Richmond, Bristol, and Daytona 500, 1977
• Finished in Top 12 ten times in 19 races at NASCAR Winston Cup rookie season
• Finished 9th in the Indianapolis 500 (1978)
• Inducted into the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, 1980
• Inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame on April 26, 2007

Creation Fun Fact:

1929

Debut of the first all-color, full-length talking picture, On With the Show!

Reflections

A history of Athletic achievement  for the month of July. Also, at the end is a history creation fun fact. Something that was created in July.

Althea Gibson

July 6, 1957

On this date in history is when Althea Gibson won the Wimbledon and the doubles championship. She was the first African American tennis player to do so. Queen Elizabeth who attended the final, presented her with a big gold salver. She was often called “The Jackie Robinson of Tennis” (coincidently in the month of July 1962, Jackie Robinson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in NY).

She was also the first African American to be allowed to compete in the U.S. National Championship (U.S.) Open.  She is often given acknowledgement by tennis players Zina Garrison, Serena and Venus Williams. She grew up in New York City and upon her return from Wimbledon was an estimated of 100,000 people that lined up along the street to salute her. This welcome down Broadway was a ticker–tape parade. Later that year she won the U.S. Nationals. She won 3 grand slam titles.

The struggle against segregation was tough on her throughout her whole career. She had broken the tennis color barriers and gender barriers. She was noticed by people that provided help and support for her. She had a strive and determination about her where she always wanted to be somebody.

She tried to desegregate golf as well. She was the first African American women member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association. Growing up she had a lot of energy and always wanted to go out and do something out of the ordinary. She would go out and bowl, play pool, paddle tennis, basketball and stickball with neighborhood friends. She attended Florida A&M University with a tennis scholarship.

She had many firsts and was name by the Associate Press Athlete of the year twice. She was inducted in the 2002 National Women’s Hall of fame in NY. In 1971, she was elected to the International Tennis Hall of fame in RI. Also in 1980, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Jackie Robinson and Althea Gibson. (Photo: Bettmann/Getty Images)

Writing source: http://www.Biography.com

Creation Fun Fact: 

July 17, 1955 Disneyland Park opens in Anaheim, California.

This writing can also be found…

Reflections of July