100 Memorable U.S. Olympic Moments

50

The First African-American Woman To Win Gold (1948)

In 1948, after two Olympics were canceled due to World War II, Alice Coachman finally got her chance to compete at the highest level. On her first high jump attempt, she leapt to a record-breaking 5'6 1/8" inches, and later won the competition, becoming the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal.