"I was happiest between the waves."
- Gertrude ederle

Gertrude Ederle:

The First Woman to Swim the English Channel

Credit: History.com: Women in Sports

Born on October 23, 1905 to German immigrants in New York City, Gertrude Ederle began to swim from a young age, learning at a local public pool and the New Jersey beach where her family spent their summers. When Gertrude entered her teens, she left school and began her training as a professional swimmer and became a part of the Women's Swimming Association, and had her first competitive win locally at the age of 16. In 1924, Ederle's freestyle team won three medals at the Olympic Games in Paris and in 1925, she began training to swim the English Channel. The English Channel consists of 21 miles of water from England to the European mainland. Although five men had previously made successful attempts to swim the English Channel, Gertrude Ederle wanted to be the first woman to do so. Though her original attempt in 1925 was foiled on a technicality, on August 6, 1926, she was successful. She met the finish at Kingsdown, England after only 14 hours and 31 minutes, beating the time record of the five men who accomplished the same feat. Ederle was given a parade when she return to New York and Mayor Jimmy Walker congratulated her. Calvin Coolidge even referred to her as "America's Best Girl" and extended an invitation to the White House. She was also nicknamed  the "Queen of the Waves." However, in 1933, Gertrude suffered a back injury that prevented her from competing ever again. Her life after competitive swimming was quiet, teaching students to swim at the Lexington School for the Deaf and later moved to Flushing, Queens. She died in Wyckoff, New Jersey in 2003, at the age of 98. 

                                        An Inspiration to Women 

Credit: Quotes Gram

Catherine Russo

Although I am not a swimmer, Gertrude Ederle is still and amazing inspiration for all women. She proved that if you put your mind to something and work hard, the outcome will be spectacular.  

Works Cited

"Gertrude Ederle Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television

"Gertrude Ederle Facts." Gertrude Ederle Facts

"Gertrude Ederle, Olympic Champion and Gritty New Yorker." NBC New York

 "Gertrude Ederle Quotes." QuotesGram. 
"Gertrude Ederle Swimming in the English Channel." History.com. A&E Television Networks