Ned Price who annually supplies us with photos from near his home on the Boston marathon route, sent me the photo below which is listed as a sort of 1936 fashion shoot displaying the US women's Olympic team uniforms and casual wear. This led to a bit of research and discovery of a recent book release of a novel about three of the women on the 1936 team and their experiences in Berlin in those heady days.
Ferarra placed 18th in the discus at 34.43. Varna-O'Brien finished 4th in the 80m hurdles in the semis and was eliminated, as only the top three advanced. Not in picture, Helen Stephens finished 9th in the discus in 34.33, but went on to win the 100 meters and was on the gold medal 4x100 team. Wilhelmsen was 8th in the discus with a 34.43m throw.
The search for this second picture led to the discovery of a new book in novel form reviewed by the Run Oregon Bookshelf. The book is Fast Girls by Elise Hooper. Here is the link to the review.
Fast Girls Book Review by Run Oregon Bookshelf clik here.
If any of our readers care to do their own review, we would welcome their input on this blog.
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| July 10, 1936 Members of the US team who will sail for Germany Wednesday in the Lincoln Hotel L-R Mrs. Dee Boeckman, coach Miss Evelyn Ferrara, Mrs Gertrude Wilhelmsen, Mrs. Ann V. O'Brien. Boeckman was a US team member in the 800m in 1928. |
Ferarra placed 18th in the discus at 34.43. Varna-O'Brien finished 4th in the 80m hurdles in the semis and was eliminated, as only the top three advanced. Not in picture, Helen Stephens finished 9th in the discus in 34.33, but went on to win the 100 meters and was on the gold medal 4x100 team. Wilhelmsen was 8th in the discus with a 34.43m throw.
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| Here is a more complete grouping of that women's team this time with only two missing. Top Row-Fred Steers, mgr., Martha Worst, Annette Rogers, Kathlyn Kelley, Gertrude Wilhelmsen, Louise Stokes, Elizabeth Robinson, Dee Boeckman, Coach Middle Row- Evelyn Ferrara, Helen Stephens, Harriet Bland, Alice Arden Front Row- Tidye Pickett, Simone Schaller, Josephine Warren, Olive Hasenfus, and Betty Burch Missing Ann Vrana O;Brien and Katherine Dunnette, Chaperone |
The search for this second picture led to the discovery of a new book in novel form reviewed by the Run Oregon Bookshelf. The book is Fast Girls by Elise Hooper. Here is the link to the review.
Fast Girls Book Review by Run Oregon Bookshelf clik here.
If any of our readers care to do their own review, we would welcome their input on this blog.