I had a series of childhood illnesses... scarlet fever… pneumonia… Polio. I walked with braces until I was at least nine years old. My life wasn't like the average person who grew up and decided to enter the world of… — Wilma Rudolph Copy Share Image
My mother taught me very early to believe I could achieve any accomplishment I wanted to. The first was to walk without braces. — Wilma Rudolph Copy Share Image
I know black women in Tennessee who have worked all their lives, from the time they were twelve years old to the day they… — Wilma Rudolph Copy Share
After the scarlet fever and the whooping cough, I remember I started to get mad about it all... I went through the stage of… — Wilma Rudolph Copy Share
“Winning is great but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose.” — Wilma Rudolph Copy Share
I don't consciously try to be a role model, so I don't know if I am or not. That's for other people to decide. — Wilma Rudolph Copy Share
Later on in life, I discovered that in order for me to be successful, I had to have a challenge. I can't do a… — Wilma Rudolph Copy Share
I thought I'd never get to see that. Florence Griffith Joyner -- every time she ran, I ran. — Wilma Rudolph Copy Share
When the sun is shining I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome. — Wilma Rudolph Copy Share
I was six years old before I realized that there was something wrong with me... But I did have this crooked left leg, and… — Wilma Rudolph Copy Share
In college, I was an education major and qualified for several jobs. But the fame that came with the Olympic medals was too threatening… — Wilma Rudolph Copy Share
