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How Did Wilma Rudolph A Civil Rights Activist

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Did you know that although Wilma Rudolph is known as an olympian she was also a civil rights activist in the 1960s and was also a major survivor! Wilma Rudolph’s life began with many health issues. One of the worst illnesses she overcame was polio. This disease caused her legs to form into the shape of a C. She could not even go to school because of her polio. In fact only few doctors would help her because of her skin color according to Bud Greenspan of ESPN.org ‘’ People did not want to help her.’’ At that time very few doctors would help black patients so she had to rely on her family to help herself and her family to continue her fight with her illnessesses. Her doctors told her she would never walk again, but her mother told that she would and she believed …show more content…

Her actions showed that she believed she could be successful. Wilma Rudolph became a civil rights activist because she believed that everyone should be treated equally no matter what color of skin according to Kerilynn Engel of Amazing women in history.com. She stood up for black women and men when times were tough. She also showed courage and strength to those others by leading by example reminding them they had a choice despite the racism and poverty.’’ After the olympics Wilma returned home to Tennessee and when she found out that the Governor was planning a welcome-home celebration Wilma refused to attend her own celebration since the event would be segregated according to Kerilynn Engel in amazing women in history.com It was because of this protest, Wilma’s parade and banquet were the very first integrated events in her hometown of Clarksville and she went on to participate in protests in the city until the segregation laws were struck down’’ according to Kerilynn Engel,

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