Explore – UNLADYLIKE2020

UNLADYLIKE2020 now available in Spanish. Click here to learn more.

UNLADYLIKE2020 now available in Spanish. Click here to learn more.

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On this day, August 6th, in 1926, Gertrude Ederle

On this day, August 6th, in 1926, Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim across the English Channel, breaking records and gender stereotypes. Gertrude Ederle, or “Queen of the waves” was an all-around champion swimmer, well known for swimming both short and long distances. By the age of 20, Ederle had set 29 world records in women’s freestyle swimming including a long-distance race from New York to New Jersey.

When Ederle first attempted to swim the English Channel, only 5 men had completed the swim and many women had tried but failed to be successful. Most competitors used the breaststroke during this 21-mile swim, but Ederle used freestyle. In preparation for the challenging swim, Ederle hired a coach and trained for almost four hours each day. She also designed her own goggles and a more aerodynamic swimsuit. Not only did she end up completing the swim, but she beat the men who had already completed it by 2 hours!

Through Ederle’s successes and perseverance, she wiped out misconceptions about women being weak and inspired over 60,000 women to get their red cross swimming certificates. And, today, we celebrate her remarkable success as the first woman to successfully swim the length of the English Channel.

To learn more about Gertrude Ederle’s story and triumphs, check out the link in our bio.

#unladylike2020 #unladylike2020pbs #unladylike #Gertrudeederle #englishchannel #firstwomanto #herstory

On July 15, 1864, Maggie Lena Walker was born in R

On July 15, 1864, Maggie Lena Walker was born in Richmond, Virginia. As a child, Walker worked as a laundrywoman alongside her mother. Walker later attended a teaching program for Black women but gave up teaching when she married. During her marriage, she became involved in the Independent Order of St. Luke’s, an organization focused on the financial advancement of Black people. Walker believed the Black community needed to create and invest in its own businesses. In 1903, Walker founded the St. Luke’s Penny Savings Bank, becoming the United States’ first Black female bank president. She later opened a department store as well.

Walker was also an activist and led the Richmond branch of the NAACP. For example, in 1904, she spearheaded a boycott against segregated streetcars. In addition, Walker advocated for women’s suffrage. She also founded the St. Luke Herald, a newspaper which covered many of the issues facing Black Americans.

Learn more about Walker by clicking the link in our bio.

#unladylike2020pbs #unladylike2020 #americanmasterspbs #herstory #onthisday #onthisdayinhistory #maggielenawalker

On July 14, 1931, Sonora Webster Carver, diving on

On July 14, 1931, Sonora Webster Carver, diving on Red Lips, enters the water with her eyes open. At first, her eyes just stung and she ignored the problem, but this stinging would eventually lead to permanent retina detachment and blindness.

Sonora Webster Carver was born into a working-class family in Waycross, Georgia in 1904. Growing up, Carver was completely spellbound by horses and would frequently skip school to ride with them. She eventually found a job at the town fair as a horse diver where she had to endure extreme training in order to comfortably ride her horse without a saddle. Employed by Doc Carver (her future father-in-law), Sonora became the main attraction of the fair, diving from a 50-foot tower into a small pool of water with thousands of screaming fans cheering her on from below.

But Carver’s good fortune took a turn in 1931, after 7 years of performing without any resulting injuries. On July 14th, there was a balancing issue with her horse, preventing Carver from shutting her eyes before making contact with the pool of water.

In an effort to celebrate July disability pride month, we admire Carver’s strength and perseverance through adversity. Carver continued to dive with horses for 11 years after she was blinded, a truly remarkable comeback. Not only was Carver one of the first female horse divers, but despite her disability, she was able to do what she loved while becoming an inspirational advocate for the blind.

To learn more about Sonora Webster Carver, or other inspiring disabled women, check out the link in our bio.

#unladylike2020 #unladylike2020pbs #unladylike #sonorawebstercarver #sonoracarver #disabilitypridemonth #disabilitypride #disability #herstory

Major funding for UNLADYLIKE2020, including the 26 documentary shorts, a broadcast hour for PBS American Masters, educational curriculum, this resource-rich website, and our impact and engagement campaign, is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding is provided by numerous private foundations and ten state humanities councils, as well as individual donors.

All UNLADYLIKE2020 original artwork by Amelie Chabannes.

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UNLADYLIKE2020 is a production of Unladylike Productions, LLC in association with THIRTEEN’s American Masters. © 2023