The Tigerbelles tells the epic story of the 1960 Tennessee State University all-Black women's track team, which found Olympic glory at the 1960 games in Rome. The author tells a story of desire, success and failure—of beating the odds—against the backdrop of a changing America, but tells it in an intimate way. Readers will come to know the individuals' unique struggles and triumphs, while also understanding how these dreams emerged and solidified just as the country was struggling to leave the Jim Crow era behind. Coach Edward Temple pushed each team member to the limit and saw the possibilities in them that they often did not see themselves. The elite group of talent included Wilma Rudolph, Barbara Jones, Lucinda Williams, Martha Hudson, Willye B. White and Shirley Crowder: women who once were and should still be known world-wide. Ultimately the team's drive was for more than medals: Coach Temple and the Tigerbelles wanted to change the world's perception of what a group of young Black women in the Jim Crow south were capable of. Tigerbelles is a multi-layered inspirational tale of triumph over adversity. Based on memoirs and interviews with surviving team members, including Coach Temple, this is the story of an impossible dream come true.
0 of 1 copy available
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
January 2, 2024 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781493073894
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781493073894
- File size: 2629 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Starred review from November 1, 2023
In the 1960s, Nashville was at the center of the civil rights movement with student-organized sit-ins and peaceful protests, but another important movement was taking place on a nearby track. From 1950 to 1994, Tennessee State University's coach Ed Temple led one of the most impressive athletic dynasties in U.S. sports history. Known as the Tigerbelles, the all-Black women's track team included Olympians Wilma Rudolph, Wyomia Tyus, Mae Faggs, and Willye White, to name a few. Temple expected excellence from the young women on his team, who became world-class track and field athletes with unparalleled results. During his tenure they won 34 national titles and 23 Olympic medals (16 gold, 6 silver, and 4 bronze). Temple fought for funding and was motivated not only to develop the students' athletic potential but also "to educate young Black women so they could become leaders and uplift their communities." As the granddaughter of the legendary Vanderbilt track coach Ernest "Herc" Alley, the author has a personal connection to this story, with access to the subjects she features. Alley Card does a masterful job capturing the lasting impact of this sisterhood of Tigerbelles, who broke gender barriers during a time of Jim Crow racism and discrimination.COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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