Today In Black History: Allyson Felix
Today In Black History: Allyson Felix
The most decorated track athlete in Olympic History
Issue #754 Today In Black History, Wednesday, October 23, 2024
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Allyson Felix, born November 18, 1985, in Los Angeles, California, is the most decorated track and field athlete in history. She made her Olympic debut at 18 during the 2004 Athens Games. She ended her career with twenty World Championship medals and eleven medals at the Olympic Games—including seven golds. That tally is three more than Usain Bolt, who won 14 World medals in total.
Allyson Felix retired from the sport after the 2022 season. She earned the OLY after her name, a post-nominal letter granted by the World Olympians Association (WOA) to registered athletes who have participated in the Olympic Games.
Felix is the co-founder and CEO of Saysh, a women’s shoe company. She also serves on the IOC's Athletes' Commission and the board of several non-profit organizations.
Felix has been a staunch advocate for social justice, women's rights, and maternal health. Her voice has resonated on global platforms, consistently championing equality and fairness.
After facing severe complications during her pregnancy with her daughter Camryn, she became a fervent advocate for maternal health and healthcare equity. Collaborating with organizations and using her platform to push for change, Felix works tirelessly to ensure that all women, particularly women of color, receive the support and care they deserve during and after pregnancy.
In 2019, Felix courageously took a stand against Nike, her former sponsor, challenging their maternity policies and advocating for the rights of female athletes. She played a key role in pressuring Nike to expand its maternity policy after she and other athletes publicly criticized the company for not guaranteeing salary protections for pregnant athletes. Her actions contributed to a significant change in how athletic sponsorships address pregnancy and maternity leave issues.
For the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Felix set up a dedicated area for Olympic moms, with a daycare center and nursing room.
Felix has two children with her husband, sprinter and hurdler Kenneth Ferguson. She has said that being a mother is her most cherished role.
Today In Black History
In 1775, the Continental Congress approved a resolution barring Blacks from the Continental Army.
In 1945, Jackie Robinson, the first Black basketball player in the Major Leagues, signed his historic contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
In 1964, Joe Frazier won the Heavyweight Gold Medal at the Tokyo Games.
In 1991, Clarence Thomas was sworn in as an Associate Supreme Court Justice.
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