Born: November 3, 1914 (Chicago, Illinois)
Died: November 17, 1986 (Chicago Heights, Illinois)
Biography:
Tidye Pickett (November 3, 1914 – November 17, 1986) was an American track and field athlete who made history as the first African-American woman to compete in the Olympic Games. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 3, 1914, Pickett grew up in the Englewood neighborhood. Her parents, Sarah Pickett and Louis Pickett, worked as a factory clerk and a foundry foreman, respectively.
Pickett’s athletic journey began during her school years when she discovered her talent for running. Her skills quickly caught the attention of John Brooks, a renowned long jumper, who decided to coach her. At the 1932 United States Olympic Trials, Pickett participated in the 100-meter dash and showcased her exceptional abilities. She won her heat, placed third in her semi-final, and ultimately secured a spot in the final, where she finished sixth.
In addition to her individual accomplishments, Pickett made history as one of the eight women selected for the four-woman relay pool in the 1932 Olympics, making her and Louise Stokes the first African-American women to be chosen for the Olympic Games. Disappointingly, Pickett and Stokes were ultimately left out of the final lineup that ran at the Olympics. Their exclusion, along with the racial discrimination they faced during the Olympic trip, raised questions about the role of racism in their omission from the relay.
Undeterred by setbacks, Pickett continued to pursue her running career. In 1934, she played a crucial role in a Chicago Park District team that set an unofficial world record of 48.6 in the 4 × 110 yard relay. Two years later, at the 1936 United States Olympic Trials, Pickett competed in the 80-meter hurdles and secured second place, earning her a spot in the Olympics held in Berlin.
During the 1936 Olympics, Pickett faced adversity when she fell at the second hurdle during the semi-finals, resulting in an injury that ended her competition. Nevertheless, she made history once again as the first African-American woman from Illinois State University to compete in the Olympic Games.
Post-athletics, Pickett pursued a career in education and became a schoolteacher. She served as a principal at an elementary school in East Chicago Heights until her retirement in 1980. As a testament to her impact, the school she dedicated her years to was renamed in her honor when she retired. Pickett’s dedication to education left a lasting legacy on the community she served.
Tidye Pickett passed away on November 17, 1986, in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Her inspiring journey as a trailblazing athlete and educator remains an integral part of women’s history, breaking down barriers and serving as a symbol of perseverance and determination.