Tigerbelle

September 15, 2018

Nestled modestly between Wilma Rudolph's track and field triumphs as an African American woman in the 1960 Olympics and Title IX (1972), Tyus's remarkable story, told here in her own words with coauthor Terzakis (English, creative writing, Cañada Coll., CA), has all but faded into obscurity. Her record-breaking gold medal performances at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics came despite two major obstacles: her race and her gender. Tyus grew up on a Georgia dairy farm with no indoor plumbing and no shortage of chores but plenty of space to play and a supportive family. Tragedy struck twice when she was a child, and she found solace on the running track. Under the guidance of a mentoring coach, Tyus became one of the close-knit Tigerbelles, proudly representing Tennessee State University and eventually the United States in consecutive Olympics. Her life afterward and her continued efforts toward equality for African Americans and women are presented in a warm, conversational style. VERDICT This timely and important autobiography reintroduces a pioneer whose values and personal strength transcend her extraordinary athletic achievements, reestablishing her place in history, both on and off the track.--Janet Davis, Darien P.L., CT

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 1, 2018
Wyomia Tyus may not be as well known as Wilma Rudolph or Billie Jean King, but her athletic accomplishments and life story are equally captivating, as related in this remarkable and inspiring memoir. We learn that Wyomia, born in 1945 and raised on a dairy farm in Griffin, Georgia, was surrounded by a nurturing family until a fire destroyed the family home, with Wyomia's beloved father dying shortly thereafter. A gifted sprinter by age 15, Wyomia was discovered and recruited by legendary Tennessee State Tigerbelle track coach Ed Temple. Under his guidance, her life was changed forever, both on and off the track. Not only did she become the first person to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the 100 meters (1964 and 1968), but she also went on to become a television commentator and founding member of the Women's Sports Foundation. Noteworthy, too, is her unique perspective, as an athlete and woman, on the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR) protest by Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. She wore black shorts to her podium presentation and told the media she was dedicating her gold medal to Smith and Carlos. Her strong relationship with Coach Temple, who served as a mentor and father figure, is powerfully portrayed throughout. This deeply moving book by one of our greatest athletes makes indelible statements about integrity, growing up black in the South, social activism, gender equality, and inclusion.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

September 15, 2018

Nestled modestly between Wilma Rudolph's track and field triumphs as an African American woman in the 1960 Olympics and Title IX (1972), Tyus's remarkable story, told here in her own words with coauthor Terzakis (English, creative writing, Ca�ada Coll., CA), has all but faded into obscurity. Her record-breaking gold medal performances at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics came despite two major obstacles: her race and her gender. Tyus grew up on a Georgia dairy farm with no indoor plumbing and no shortage of chores but plenty of space to play and a supportive family. Tragedy struck twice when she was a child, and she found solace on the running track. Under the guidance of a mentoring coach, Tyus became one of the close-knit Tigerbelles, proudly representing Tennessee State University and eventually the United States in consecutive Olympics. Her life afterward and her continued efforts toward equality for African Americans and women are presented in a warm, conversational style. VERDICT This timely and important autobiography reintroduces a pioneer whose values and personal strength transcend her extraordinary athletic achievements, reestablishing her place in history, both on and off the track.--Janet Davis, Darien P.L., CT

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2018
A half-century after her triumph, a record-setting Olympic champion receives her due.Tyus, a founding member of the Women's Sports Foundation, remains largely unknown even among American sports fans. This is partly because of her race and gender, as she came of age during a period when black females were rarely given due credit or offered much opportunity. But it may also be partly because of her personality. She was an unassuming woman from the rural South who didn't care much about anything but running, rarely called attention to herself, and found herself overshadowed by larger-than-life figures in turbulent times. Her 1968 triumph in the 100-yard dash made her the first athlete to win gold medals in the same event in successive Olympics and followed her surprising, record-breaking win in 1964. However, that feat remains overshadowed by "Olympic protestors Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who shocked the upper echelons of the Olympic world and thrilled activists everywhere by raising their black-gloved fists on the medal stand to protest human rights violations at home and abroad." Tyus received little notice when she dedicated her subsequent medal in the relays to them, and she felt slighted by the failure to acknowledge what she had done. Yet the author is by no means a complainer; much of the narrative's charm derives from the author's down-to-earth nature. Her memoir, written with co-author Terzakis (English and Creative Writing/Ca�ada Coll.), is also a testimonial to Ed Temple, track coach of the Tennessee State University Tigerbelles, who also served as Tyus' Olympic coach. He discovered and trained her when she was a small-town teenager with more ability than technique, and he instilled life lessons that went well beyond track and field. Tyus may never have generated the same attention as the more ebullient Wilma Rudolph, but she has lived a life of accomplishment and meaning.An inspirational story that deserves to be told.

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