Williams, Lucinda (1937—)

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Williams, Lucinda (1937—)

African-American track-and-field athlete . Name variations: Lucinda Williams Adams. Born on August 10, 1937, in Savannah, Georgia; daughter of Willie M. Williams and David Williams; graduated from Tennessee State University, B.S., 1959, M.S., 1961; married Floyd Adams, in 1959 (died); children: daughter Kimberly.

Became a world-class sprinter (1950s–1960s); earned a gold medal in the Rome Olympics in the 4x100-meter relay (1960).

Known as "Lady Dancer" for her graceful style of running, Lucinda Williams was born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1937. By the time she graduated from high school, she had perfected both her stride and her endurance, earning the twin titles of state track champion and outstanding senior athlete. She enrolled at Tennessee State University in 1954 and continued her outstanding performance with the famed Tennessee Tiger-belles track team, breaking records for the 100-meter relay and clocking times that qualified her for the U.S. Olympic trials. Her first appearance at the Olympics was at the summer Games in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, but she failed to make the cut during the 100-meter heats.

Wins at the Amateur Athletic Union's track events for three straight years between 1957 and 1959 showed that Williams had the needed speed, and her top times won her a spot on the AAU women's All-American track-and-field team in both 1958 and 1959. She went on to put in a stellar performance in the sprint at the Pan Am Games in 1959, and her overall scores once again qualified her for the Olympic trials and a spot on the team, which headed to Rome, Italy, the following summer. Competition in the 1960 Olympic Games was stiff, and Williams missed the final cut for the individual 200-meter race. However, as part of the all-Tigerbelle relay team, she ultimately proved to be a winner as the second leg of the four-woman team that took home the gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay with a total time of 44.72 seconds.

After the Olympics, Williams returned to Tennessee State, graduating with a master's degree in physical education in 1961. Retiring from competition but wishing to remain involved with national track-and-field events, she served as a chaperon for the U.S. Olympic track-and-field team during their tour of Europe in 1963. In later years she put her college education to good use, taking a job as a physical education teacher at a high school in Dayton, Ohio, where she served as a role model and inspiration to aspiring young women—particularly African-Americans—interested in testing their skill and perseverance through competitive sports. She was elected to the Savannah, Georgia, Hall of Fame in 1968 and the Tennessee State University Hall of Fame in 1983.