Famous Figures- Stella Walsh

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 Join Paige Muttillo as she shares more about the legacy of Stella Walsh. Learn about the remarkable woman whose speed and lasting impact, both on and off the track, continue to inspire. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:11):
Thank you, hello everyone and welcome to today's

(00:32):
episode of CC Airwaves.
I'm your host, paige Matillo.
As the Olympics approach, wethought it fitting to delve into
the inspiring and complexlegacy of a local Olympian,
stella Walsh.
The inspiring and complexlegacy of a local Olympian,
stella Walsh.
Born Stanislaw Walshwicz inPoland in 1911, stella moved to
the United States just monthsafter her birth.

(00:53):
Growing up in Cleveland, herathletic talent was evident
early on, capturing attention inpublic school.
Despite challenges stemmingfrom her nationality and age,
stella never let obstacles deterher passion for athletics.
At just age 16, she was runningtrack at an Olympic level,
albeit for a local Polish sportsorganization due to citizenship

(01:16):
constraints.
Stella's career was nothingshort of remarkable.
She dominated the 60, 100, 200,and 400 meter dash events,
earning numerous titles and evena car for her efforts.
In 1930, at just 19, stella'sprowess on the track made her an
international sensation,eventually leading her to

(01:38):
represent Poland in the 1932 LosAngeles Summer Olympics.
There she won a gold medal inthe 100-meter dash, tying the
world record with a time of 11.9seconds.
Despite facing waningpopularity by the 1936 Berlin
Olympics, where she won silver,stella's athletic contributions

(01:59):
were immense.
After moving permanently to theUS, she continued competing,
winning her last title at 40,and later being inducted into
the Track and Field Hall of Famein 1975.
Sadly, stella's life endedtragically in 1980 during an
armed robbery in Cleveland.
Her death sparked controversialdiscussions about her gender,

(02:21):
but those do not overshadow herathletic achievements and
significant contributions toboth Polish and American track
and field.
Stella Walsh's story is atestament to resilience and
dedication and she is rememberedhere in Cleveland, resting at
Calvary Cemetery, section 95,lot 2003, grave 1.
Join us as we celebrate herlife and legacy, remembering a

(02:44):
woman whose speed on the trackwas matched only by her enduring
influence off of it.
Thank you for tuning in to CCAirwaves.
It's been a pleasure to sharethis extraordinary story with
you.
If there is a famous figureyou'd like us to discuss in an
upcoming episode, we'd love tohear from you.
Please email your suggestionsto podcast at CLECEMorg or drop

(03:08):
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