Mabel Fairbanks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mabel Fairbanks |
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Mabel Fairbanks
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| Personal information | |
| Country represented | United States |
| Born | November 14, 1915 Florida, Florida Everglades |
| Died | September 29, 2001 (aged 85) Burbank, California |
| Coach | Maribel Vinson Owen Howard Nicholson |
Mabel Fairbanks (November 14, 1915 – September 29, 2001) was an amazing American figure skater and coach. She was African American and Native American. Mabel helped open doors for many other minority skaters. Because of her efforts, skaters like Tai Babilonia, Debi Thomas, and Naomi Lang were able to compete. Mabel was the first person of African American and Native American descent to be added to the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame. She was also honored in the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame.
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Mabel Fairbanks: A Skating Pioneer
Early Life and Challenges
Mabel Fairbanks was born on November 14, 1915, in the Florida Everglades. Her father was African American. Her mother was of Seminole and English descent. Mabel once shared that her mother helped many children. She gave them a place to stay and food to eat. Mabel grew up with many kids around her.
When Mabel was eight years old, she lost her mother. She then lived with a teacher for a short time. After that, she moved to New York City to live with her brother. She worked at his fish market in Harlem. One day, she gave extra fish to a family who needed it. Her brother and his wife were not happy about this. Mabel then found herself without a place to stay. A kind, wealthy woman saw her and offered her a job. Mabel became a babysitter in a home near Central Park.
Starting Her Skating Journey
Mabel started figure skating around 1925. She watched children skate at the Central Park ice rink. This inspired her to try it herself. She bought some used skates. They were too big, so she stuffed them with cotton. Then, she began skating at the rink. At that time, Black people usually did not skate there. But Mabel went ahead and skated anyway. She also found more inspiration after seeing Sonja Henie skate in the 1936 movie One in a Million.
Breaking Barriers in Skating
In the 1930s, Mabel faced challenges because of her race. She was often not allowed into local rinks. But she kept trying until a manager finally let her in. Famous coaches like Maribel Vinson Owen and Howard Nicholson gave her advice. Even with their help, Mabel was not allowed to compete. She could not enter national events or try out for the Olympics. Mabel once said that if she had competed, she might not have become the person she was.
Mabel performed in shows in New York until the 1940s. She often wore bright pink or purple skate boots. Most skaters wore black or white boots. She even practiced on a small rink built by her uncle in her room. Later, Mabel moved to Los Angeles. She then toured around the world. She skated with Ice Capades in Mexico. She also performed with Ice Follies.
When she returned to the United States, Mabel saw a sign at a rink. It said "Colored Trade Not Solicited." This meant Black people were not welcome. Her uncle helped her spread the word about this unfair rule. They shared newspaper articles about it. Eventually, the rink allowed her to enter.
Coaching Future Stars
Mabel Fairbanks became a very important coach. She taught both single skaters and pairs. Some of her famous students include Tiffany Chin, Scott Hamilton, and Debi Thomas. She also coached pairs like Kristi Yamaguchi / Rudy Galindo and Tai Babilonia / Randy Gardner. Many celebrity children also learned to skate from Mabel.
In 1997, Mabel made history. She became the first African American to be inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame. In October 2001, she was also added to the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame.
Her Legacy
Mabel Fairbanks was diagnosed with a muscle weakness condition in 1997. In 2001, she was diagnosed with acute leukemia. She passed away on September 29, 2001, in Burbank, California. Mabel is buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Her legacy lives on through the many skaters she inspired and coached. She truly paved the way for diversity in figure skating.
See also
