Ella “Babe” Didrikson performances in the javelin throw, yards. She met George Zaharias, a well- Zaharias hurdles, and high jump qualified her known pro wrestler and sports (1911-1956) for the 1932 Olympics, where she again promoter, at the Los Angeles Open. broke world records in all three events. They married on December 23, 1938, She won gold medals in javelin throw and Zaharias began managing his wife's Mildred Ella (Babe) Didrikson was and hurdles, and took silver in the high career. She regained her amateur status born June 26, 1911, in Port Arthur. One jump on a technicality (she cleared the in 1943 and went on to win seventeen of seven children, she had an active same height as the top finisher but consecutive tournaments before family who encouraged her to develop went over the bar head first, a foul at turning pro in 1947. In 1948 she helped her athletic skills. She got her nickname that time). found the LPGA (Ladies Professional from neighborhood boys she played Golf Association) to ensure that women baseball with, who thought she batted She received a hero's welcome on her golfers would have a tournament like Babe Ruth. A talented basketball return to Texas. To support her family, circuit. She was the LPGA's leading player as well, she was recruited out of she turned professional to earn what money winner between 1949 and 1951. high school by Employers Casualty she could from her status as a sports In 1950 the Associated Press voted her Company of Dallas to do office work celebrity. She toured and did vaudeville Woman Athlete of the Half-Century. and to lead the company's semi-pro before deciding to become a women's basketball team, the Golden championship golfer, since it was one Sadly, in 1953, Didrikson Zaharias was Cyclones. Between 1930 and 1932 she of the few sports that accommodated stricken with intestinal cancer. She led the team to two finals and a women athletes. She entered her first triumphed again - despite predictions national championship and was voted tournament in November 1932, and at that she would never play All-American each season. her second, the Texas Women's championship golf again, she was in Amateur Championship the following tournament competition fourteen Her exceptional ability and versatility April, she won the title. Classist weeks after surgery. The Golf Writers of prompted the company to expand its complaints from the wealthier and America voted her the Hogan Trophy as women's sports program beyond more mannered competitors prompted comeback player of the year. In 1954 basketball. She represented the the national golf associations to rule she won five tournaments, including company as a one-woman team in eight her ineligible to compete as an the US Women's Open. of ten track and field events at the 1932 amateur, barring her from tournament Amateur Athletic Union play. She played for cancer benefits and Championships. She placed in seven of maintained her cheery public persona, the eight events, placing first in five of Undaunted, she resumed her lucrative but in June of 1955 she was forced to them, tying for first in another, and routine of exhibition tours and enter John Sealy Hospital at the placing fourth in yet another - breaking endorsements, wowing audiences with University of Texas Medical Branch in four world records in the process. Her drives that regularly exceeded 240 Galveston for further diagnosis.

Whole Woman’s Health of Beaumont 3470 Fannin Suite 3 * Beaumont TX 77701 (409) 833-9207 www.wholewomanshealth.com Unfortunately, the best medical care Babe’s Major Victories Whole Woman’s Health available at the time was unable to stop Women’s History Project the cancer's spread. Didrikson Zaharias 1948: U.S. Women’s Open spent much of the remaining 15 months 1950: U.S. Women’s Open, Title of her life in the hospital. In September Holder’s Championship of 1955 she and her husband 1952: Title Holder’s Championship Babe established the Babe Didrikson 1954: U.S. Women’s Open Zaharias Fund, which financed a tumor clinic at UTMB. She died at John Sealy Hospital on September 27, 1956, at the Babe’s Other Professional Zaharias age of 45. She was buried in Beaumont. Victories

Though her exuberance, confidence, Founding Member of the LPGA and 1948: All American Open, World and skill at marketing herself irritated One of the Greatest All Around Athletes Championship some fellow athletes, she was the most of All Time 1949: World Championship, Eastern famous female golfer of her time and Open remains one of the most accomplished 1950: All American Open, World and famous female athletes of all time. Championship, Miami Weathervane, Her achievements are legendary: voted Western Open Athlete of the Year by the Associated 1951: All American Open, World Press six times, winner of every Championships, Ponte Verde Open, women's golf title, three-time US Tampa Open, Fresno Open, Texas Women's Open winner, and four-time Open, Miami Weathervane world champion. She established a 1953: Sarasota Open, Babe Zaharias national audience for women's golf and Open was the first women ever to serve as a 1954: All American Open, Sarasota resident professional at a golf club. Open, Serbin Open, National Capital Open

1955: Tampa Open, Peach Blossom Source: Classic

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“Loosen your girdle and let ‘er fly!”

Whole Woman’s Health of Beaumont 3470 Fannin Suite 3 * Beaumont TX 77701 (409) 833-9207 www.wholewomanshealth.com