February - "The Tigerbelles" by Aime Alley Card - Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles

"The Tigerbelles" by Aime Alley Card

The Tigerbelles by Aime Alley Card
Call Number: 796.043 CARD
The Tigerbelles tells the epic story of the 1960 Tennessee State University all-Black women's track team, which found Olympic glory at the 1960 games in Rome. The author tells a story of desire, success and failure--of beating the odds--against the backdrop of a changing America, but tells it in an intimate way. Readers will come to know the individuals' unique struggles and triumphs, while also understanding how these dreams emerged and solidified just as the country was struggling to leave the Jim Crow era behind. Coach Edward Temple pushed each team member to the limit and saw the possibilities in them that they often did not see themselves. The elite group of talent included Wilma Rudolph, Barbara Jones, Lucinda Williams, Martha Hudson, Willye B. White and Shirley Crowder: women who once were and should still be known world-wide. Ultimately the team's drive was for more than medals: Coach Temple and the Tigerbelles wanted to change the world's perception of what a group of young Black women in the Jim Crow south were capable of. Tigerbelles is a multi-layered inspirational tale of triumph over adversity. Based on memoirs and interviews with surviving team members, including Coach Temple, this is the story of an impossible dream come true.

Historical Context:
- How does the book provide historical context for the challenges and opportunities faced by the Tigerbelles during the time period in which they competed? What social and cultural factors influenced their experiences?
Individual Narratives:
- The Tigerbelles were composed of remarkable individual athletes. Discuss the personal narratives of some of the key members. How did their backgrounds, aspirations, and challenges shape their journeys as athletes?
Coach Temple's Influence:
- Explore the role of Coach Ed Temple in shaping the success of the Tigerbelles. How did his coaching philosophy and mentorship contribute to the team's achievements?
Breaking Barriers:
- The Tigerbelles faced racial and gender barriers during their competitive years. How did the athletes navigate and challenge these barriers, both on and off the track?
Team Dynamics:
- Discuss the dynamics of teamwork within the Tigerbelles. How did the athletes support and motivate each other, and what challenges did they face as a team?
Olympic Success:
- The Tigerbelles achieved significant success on the Olympic stage. Explore the impact of their achievements on the broader landscape of women's sports and the representation of African American women in athletics.
Legacy of the Tigerbelles:
- Reflect on the lasting legacy of the Tigerbelles. How did their accomplishments pave the way for future generations of female athletes, and what impact did they have on the perception of women in sports?
Intersectionality:
- Consider the intersectionality of the Tigerbelles' identities, encompassing race, gender, and social class. How did these intersecting factors shape their experiences and opportunities?
Challenges and Triumphs:
- The Tigerbelles faced both challenges and triumphs. Discuss specific moments or events that exemplify the resilience and determination of the athletes.
Impact on Women's Sports:
- How did the success of the Tigerbelles contribute to the broader evolution of women's sports? In what ways did their achievements influence policy changes and perceptions of female athletes?
Representation in Media:
- Explore how the media portrayed the Tigerbelles during their competitive years. How did media coverage contribute to or challenge existing stereotypes about women in sports?
Contemporary Relevance:
- Consider the contemporary relevance of the Tigerbelles' story. How does their legacy continue to impact discussions about diversity, equity, and representation in sports today?

The Tennessee State Tigerbelles, a women's track and field team coached by Ed Temple, achieved remarkable success during their competitive years. Here is a brief timeline highlighting key moments and achievements of the Tigerbelles:

1950: Ed Temple becomes the head coach of the women's track and field team at Tennessee State University.
1955: Wilma Rudolph joins the Tigerbelles. Under Temple's coaching, Rudolph becomes one of the most prominent athletes in the world.
1956: Wilma Rudolph competes in the Melbourne Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter relay.
1960: Wilma Rudolph becomes the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympics (Rome). She wins the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4x100-meter relay.
1963: Wyomia Tyus joins the Tigerbelles. Tyus goes on to become the first person to retain the Olympic 100 meters title (1964 Tokyo Olympics).
1964: Tigerbelles win the 4x100-meter relay at the Tokyo Olympics, with Wyomia Tyus as part of the team.
1968: Ed Temple coaches the Tigerbelles to win their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay at the Mexico City Olympics.
1972: Ed Temple leads the Tigerbelles to their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay at the Munich Olympics.
1980: The Tigerbelles' streak of consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 4x100-meter relay comes to an end at the Moscow Olympics.
1983: Coach Ed Temple retires after more than three decades of coaching the Tigerbelles.
1995: Wilma Rudolph, one of the most celebrated Tigerbelles, passes away.
2016: The Tigerbelles' legacy is celebrated at the Rio Olympics, where Tennessee State University hosts a viewing party for the opening ceremony in honor of the team's historic achievements.
2019: Tennessee State University unveils a statue honoring Coach Ed Temple and the Tigerbelles on the university's campus.

The Tennessee State Tigerbelles, under the guidance of Coach Ed Temple, made a significant impact on women's track and field. Their achievements, especially during the 1950s and 1960s, contributed to breaking racial and gender barriers in sports and left an enduring legacy in the history of athletics.

For the past several years, Aime Alley Card has been researching, interviewing, and writing about the Tennessee State Tigerbelles and those who supported them along their path. She conducted and reviewed hundreds of hours of interviews and read just as many books and articles, ranging from concurrent to retrospective. She is a nonfiction editor for Pangyrus literary magazine and a board member for the Women’s National Book Association, Boston Chapter, and serves on her town’s cultural council supporting educational programs.

Trailblazers by Gabrielle David; Carolina Fung Feng (Editor); Chandra D. L. Waring (Introduction by)
Call Number: 305.4889 David
The past four hundred years have seen unprecedented growth in virtually every conceivable realm of life, from medicine to the arts, technology to finance. Far too often, however, when we think of the movers, shakers, and innovators behind these transformations, we picture a host of men - and white men, at that. With Trailblazers, Gabrielle David remedies that. The first anthology of black female innovators published in more than fifteen years, Trailblazers introduces us to more than one hundred and fifty American black women who have been instrumental in creating our contemporary life. We learn about activists and politicians like Fannie Lou Hamer, who in 1964 changed the Democratic National Convention forever by protesting efforts to disenfranchise black voters in her native Mississippi, and Lelia Foley, a black woman who overcame racism and poverty to become the first female African American mayor in the United States in 1973. David also introduces us to entertainers, athletes, and businesswomen - though not always in predictable ways. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter makes an appearance, for example, not for her musical career, but as a businesswoman, reminding us of her multifaceted triumphs. David brings this volume together with a clarion call for recognition of the transformative work black women have done and continue to do. She reminds us of the debt we owe to these unsung heroes--and the place black women deserve at the table.
Courage to Soar by Simone Biles; Michelle Burford (As told to)
Call Number: BIOGRAPHY BILES
Simone Biles' entrance into the world of gymnastics may have started on a field trip in her hometown of Spring, Texas, but her God-given talent, along with drive to succeed no matter the obstacle, are what brought her to the national spotlight during the Olympic Games and have catapulted her ever since--including 25 World Championship medals. But there is more to Simone than her accomplishments.
Tigerbelle by Wyomia Tyus; Elizabeth Terzakis
Call Number: BIOGRAPHY Tyus
In 1968, Wyomia Tyus became the first person ever to win gold medals in the 100-meter sprint in two consecutive Olympic Games, a feat that would not be repeated for twenty years or exceeded for almost fifty. Tigerbelle chronicles Tyus's journey from her childhood as the daughter of a tenant dairy farmer through her Olympic triumphs to her post-competition struggles to make a way for herself and other female athletes. The Hidden Figures of sport, Tigerbelle helps to fill the gap currently occupying Black women's place in American history, providing insight not only on what it takes to be a champion but also on what it means to stake out an identity in an hostile world. Tyus's exciting and uplifting story offers inspiration to readers from all walks of life.

Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: February - "The Tigerbelles" by Aime Alley Card

"The Tigerbelles" by Aime Alley Card

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