People Who Broke Barriers

Janet Guthrie

Janet Guthrie made history in auto racing during the 1970s. She demonstrated that women could compete at the highest levels of this sport, which was mostly for men at the time. Before racing, Ms. Guthrie was an aerospace engineer, a type of scientist who works with aircraft. Her knowledge of engineering helped her understand the mechanics of racing cars.

Key Achievements

She was the first woman to qualify for and race in the Indianapolis 500 in 1977.
She was also the first woman to race in the Daytona 500 in 1977.
In her first Indy 500, she finished in 9th place, which was the best result for any rookie driver that year.
She achieved a top 10 finish at Bristol Motor Speedway in 1977.
Her accomplishments were recognized when she was inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.

Interesting Fact: Because there were no racing clothes or equipment made for women drivers at that time, Janet Guthrie had to modify her own gear, including reshaping the padding in her helmet to fit properly. This shows her dedication to racing.

Ms. Guthrie faced unfair treatment in the world of auto racing because it was dominated by men. Many male drivers did not take her seriously, and some even claimed it would be dangerous to have a woman in the race. Despite these challenges and some mechanical problems with her car, she continued to race and proved her skill.

Before her racing career, Janet Guthrie worked as an aerospace engineer for NASA. Her technical understanding of how things worked gave her an advantage in understanding race car mechanics. After she retired from racing, she became an advocate for more women to participate in motorsports.

Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens is remembered for his remarkable achievements at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This event was significant because Adolf Hitler, the leader of Germany at the time, promoted the idea that his people were superior. However, Mr. Owens, who was an African-American athlete, won four gold medals in track and field. His success challenged Hitler's beliefs about race.

Significant Achievements

He won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, long jump, and 4x100-meter relay.
He set three world records in just 45 minutes at the 1935 Big Ten Championships.
During his time at Ohio State University, he won eight individual NCAA championships.
Many consider him to be the greatest track and field athlete in history.
In 1976, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Important Moment: During the long jump qualifying rounds, a German athlete named Luz Long noticed that Mr. Owens was having some trouble. Mr. Long offered him some advice, and they became friends. This was a powerful display of sportsmanship that went beyond the political tensions of the time. Jesse Owens later acknowledged the courage it took for Luz Long to befriend him in front of Adolf Hitler.

Despite his success at the Olympics, Jesse Owens faced racial discrimination when he returned to the United States. At a reception held in his honor in New York City, he was required to use the freight elevator instead of the main passenger elevator because of his race. After his career as an athlete, he dedicated many years to working with young people and promoting the importance of sports.

Jesse Owens' performance at the Berlin Olympics was particularly important because it directly contradicted Hitler's theories of racial superiority in front of an international audience. His victories became a powerful symbol of equality and the potential of all people, regardless of their race.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali was not only a champion boxer but also a significant cultural figure who stood up for his beliefs. Known for his incredible speed and skill in the boxing ring, as well as his outspoken personality, Mr. Ali became one of the most recognizable people in the world. He used his platform to address important social issues.

Notable Achievements

He was a three-time World Heavyweight Champion in boxing (in 1964, 1974, and 1978).
He won an Olympic gold medal in boxing in 1960.
Throughout his career, he won 56 fights, with 37 of those wins being knockouts.
Sports Illustrated magazine named him the "Sportsman of the Century."
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

Famous Quote: When asked how he wished to be remembered, Muhammad Ali said he wanted to be remembered as "a man who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love. And if that's too much, then just remember me as a great boxer who became a leader and a champion of his people."

Born Cassius Clay, he changed his name after joining the Nation of Islam in 1964. In 1967, at the height of his boxing career, Mr. Ali refused to be drafted into the U.S. Army because of his religious beliefs and his opposition to the Vietnam War. As a result, he was stripped of his boxing title and banned from the sport for several years.

Some of Muhammad Ali's most famous boxing matches include the "Fight of the Century" against Joe Frazier in 1971, the "Rumble in the Jungle" against George Foreman in 1974, and the "Thrilla in Manila," also against Joe Frazier, in 1975. After retiring from boxing, he dedicated his life to humanitarian work. He was later diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which doctors believe may have been caused by injuries sustained during his boxing career.

Comparing Each Athlete to Jim Abbott

Janet Guthrie vs. Jim Abbott

Janet Guthrie

Both

Jim Abbott

Faced gender discrimination in auto racing.
Competed in a sport where few women participated.
Had to modify her own equipment due to lack of options for women.
Was a pioneer for women in motorsports.

Faced doubts about their ability to succeed due to something they couldn't change.
Showed mental toughness and determination.
Were pioneers in their respective sports.
Inspired others by overcoming obstacles.

Faced doubts about his ability to play baseball with one hand.
Developed unique pitching techniques to compete professionally.
Was a pioneer for athletes with disabilities in baseball.
Inspired others with physical challenges.

Jesse Owens vs. Jim Abbott

Jesse Owens

Both

Jim Abbott

Faced racial discrimination in athletics and in society.
Competed during a time of significant racial prejudice.
His success challenged racist ideologies.
Became a symbol of racial equality in sports.

Faced people who doubted their abilities due to circumstances beyond their control.
Demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication to their sport.
Became symbols of overcoming adversity.
Inspired people worldwide.

Faced people who doubted his ability to play professional baseball with one hand.
Demonstrated exceptional skill and developed a unique pitching style.
Became a symbol of overcoming physical challenges in sports.
Inspired people facing physical limitations.

Muhammad Ali vs. Jim Abbott

Muhammad Ali

Both

Jim Abbott

Faced public scrutiny and consequences for his political and religious beliefs.
Used his platform to speak out on social issues.
Was stripped of his boxing title for his beliefs.
Became a cultural icon beyond the world of sports.

Faced intense media attention and public interest in their unique circumstances.
Became role models for their determination and perseverance.
Inspired people by overcoming significant obstacles in their careers.
Showed resilience in the face of setbacks.

Faced intense media attention regarding his ability to play professional baseball with one hand.
Became a role model for athletes with disabilities.
Overcame early struggles and proved he could compete at the highest level.
Showed resilience throughout his career.