Tidye Pickett facts for kids
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| Sport | Track and field |
Tidye Pickett (born November 3, 1914 – died November 17, 1986) was an amazing American track and field athlete. She made history by representing the United States in the 80-meter hurdles at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Tidye Pickett was the very first African-American woman to compete in the Olympic Games. Her inspiring journey, along with other Black American athletes from the 1936 Olympics, was featured in the 2016 film Olympic Pride, American Prejudice.
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Tidye Pickett: A Pioneer in Sports
Early Life and Athletic Beginnings
Tidye Pickett was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 3, 1914. Her mother, Sarah Pickett, worked as a factory clerk. Her father, Louis Pickett, was a foreman at a foundry. Tidye grew up in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago.
Tidye started running when she was a schoolgirl. She quickly showed great talent in local competitions. A famous long jumper named John Brooks noticed her skills. He then became her coach, helping her improve even more.
Making History at the Olympics
The 1932 Olympic Journey
In 1932, Tidye Pickett competed in the 100-meter dash at the U.S. Olympic Trials. She performed very well, reaching the final and placing sixth. This earned her a spot on the American Olympic team. She was part of the eight-woman 4 × 100 meter relay team pool.
Tidye Pickett and Louise Stokes were both selected for this relay team. They became the first African-American women ever chosen for the Olympic Games. However, they faced unfair treatment during their trip. Sadly, neither Tidye nor Louise was chosen to run in the final four-woman relay race at the Olympics.
Berlin 1936: Competing on the World Stage
Tidye continued to train and compete. In 1934, she helped her Chicago Park District team set a fast time in a relay race. Two years later, at the 1936 U.S. Olympic Trials, she competed in the 80-meter hurdles. She finished second, which qualified her for the Olympics in Berlin.
At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Tidye Pickett made history. She was the first African-American woman to actually compete in the Olympic Games. She ran in the heats and moved on to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, she fell during the semi-final race and got injured. Despite this, her participation was a huge step forward for athletes of color. She was also the first athlete from Illinois State University to compete in the Olympics.
Life After the Track
After her impressive athletic career, Tidye Pickett became a dedicated schoolteacher. She later served as the principal of an elementary school in East Chicago Heights. She worked there until she retired in 1980. To honor her contributions, the school was renamed after her when she retired.
Tidye Pickett passed away in Chicago Heights, Illinois, on November 17, 1986. Her legacy as a pioneering athlete and an inspiring educator continues to be remembered.
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