Jackie Joyner Kersee

Dates: born March 3, 1962 (East St. Louis, Illinois)

Jackie was born to teenage parents, being named after Jackie Kennedy. She rose above financial hardships through focus on athletics. While in high school, Jackie excelled athletically, especially in track and field events, receiving numerous honors and awards. While still in High School, she qualified for the 1984 Olympics! She also participated in the Olympics three additional times, winning 3 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals for the heptathlon and long jump. Jackie attended UCLA and starred in track and field and basketball. She also played one season of professional basketball, though had limited success there. Jackie has had to overcome severe asthma along with her athletic career. She retired in 2001, and began philanthropic work, focusing on education, racial equality, and women’s rights. Jackie still holds the world record for the heptathlon and has been voted the Greatest Female Athlete of All Time. Jackie married her track coach Bob Kersee. Her brother was also an Olympic champion for the triple jump. After her retirement, she established a foundation to help families in East St. Louis and also, with others, founded Athletes for Hope.

Quote: “It is better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret.”