McDaniel, Mildred (1933–2004)
McDaniel, Mildred (1933–2004)
African-American track-and-field athlete. Name variations: Mildred McDaniel Singleton. Born Mildred Louise McDaniel, Nov 4, 1933, in Atlanta, GA; died of cancer, Sept 30, 2004, in Pasadena, CA; attended Tuskegee Institute; m. Louis Singleton, 1958.
Was AAU national high jump champion (1953, 1955, and 1956) and indoor champion (1955, 1956); won the high jump title at Pan American Games (1955) with a meet record; won the Olympic gold medal in high jump at Melbourne Olympics (1956), setting a world record with a jump of 5′9 1/4″, and also won a bronze medal in 4×100-meter relay; taught physical education for 32 years in Pasadena schools. Inducted into National Track and Field Hall of Fame (1983) and Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
See also Women in World History.