Episode notes
Learn about Mabel Fairbanks, a figure skater who was denied the opportunity to compete for the U.S. because of her skin color. After spending years entertaining by skating in ice shows, Mabel became coach to world pairs champions Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner. gold medalists Scott Hamilton, Kristi Yamaguchi and the first African American U.S. skating title holder Atoy Wilson.
Sources:
NPR Code Switch podcast episode about Fairbanks
2019 children’s book Ice Breaker: How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating (She Made History) written by Rose Viña and illustrated by Claire Almon,
Keywords
mabel fairbanksice skatingfigure skatingtai babiloniarandy gardnerkristi yamaguchiatoy wilsonscott hamiltonus figure skating hall of famehollywood forever cemetery