Object Details
Artist
Underwood & Underwood, active 1880 - c. 1950
Sitter
Gertrude Caroline Ederle, 23 Oct 1906 - 30 Nov 2003
Exhibition Label
Born New York City
During a time when female athletes were not taken seriously, Ederle proved critics wrong. In 1924 she competed at the Olympic Games, held in Paris, France, where she won a gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle relay and bronze medals in the 100and 400-meter freestyle races. By 1925, Ederle had set twenty-nine world records in women’s freestyle swimming.
On August 6, 1926, in strong, choppy waters, she became the first woman to swim across the English Channel, beating the previous record by nearly two hours. When she paused occasionally to accept nourishment, concerned observers asked her if she wanted to come out. She responded, “What for?”
Nacida en la Ciudad de Nueva York
En una época que no tomaba en serio a las mujeres atletas, Gertrude Ederle demostró que sus críticos estaban errados. En las Olimpiadas de 1924 ganó medalla de oro en el relevo de 400 metros en estilo libre y bronce en estilo libre individual de 100 y 400 metros. Para 1925, había impuesto 29 récords mundiales en natación femenina de estilo libre.
El 6 de agosto de 1926, en aguas agitadas, se convirtió en la primera mujer que cruzó el Canal de la Mancha, superando el récord anterior por casi dos horas. Cuando paraba para aceptar alimento, los preocupados observadores le preguntaban si quería salir del agua. Ella respondía: “¿Para qué?”.
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Date
1925
Object number
NPG.80.230
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image: 18.8 × 23.9 cm (7 3/8 × 9 7/16")
Sheet: 20.3 × 25.6 cm (8 × 10 1/16")
Mat: 35.6 × 45.7 cm (14 × 18")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Exhibition
American Winners: Athletes and Entertainers Who Shaped the Nation
On View
NPG, West Gallery 250
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Vehicle\Ship
Nature & Environment\Water\Ocean
Exterior\Landscape\Coastal
Vehicle\Boat
Equipment\Sports Equipment\Oar
Vehicle\Boat\Kayak
Gertrude Caroline Ederle: Female
Gertrude Caroline Ederle: Sports\Athlete\Swimmer
Gertrude Caroline Ederle: Athletics awards\Olympic medal
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.80.230