WILLYE B. WHITE * 1 January 1939 in Money MS † 6 Februrary 2007 in Chicago
WILLYE B. WHITE * 1 January 1939 in Money MS † 6 Februrary 2007 in Chicago Willye WHITE, five-time Olympian for the United ing children to become productive citizens by teach- States, died on Tuesday, 6 February 2007, in Evanston, ing sports and teamwork to children in the nation's Illinois, from complications of pancreatic cancer. She largest housing project. The Foundation included was 67 years old. She first competed in the Olympic an after-school program, a summer day-camp, and Games in 1956 at Melbourne when she was only a healthcare for the children. De VARONA noted, "For 16-year-old high school sophomore. Despite her all the struggles she went through, she always gave back, youth, she won a silver medal in the long jump be- she was always campaigning for equal education, equal hind Poland's Elzbieta KRZESINSKA-DUNSKA. She also rights." Another Olympic team mate, Pat CONNOLY competed in the long jump at the 1960, 1964, 1968, (1960), spoke of her, and 1972 Olympics, where she made the finals each "She was like a big sister. ... It was a very un- team, although never again as a medallist. However, likely friendship. I was raised a Mormon. ... in 1964, she ran a leg on the USA's 4 x 100 metre re- I knew nothing about blacks. ... I had my eyes lay team, and earned a second silver medal. opened when I made the Olympic team and WHITE'S 6.09 long jump, which won her 1956 sil- Wilma Rudolph and Cassius Clay and all these ver medal, was a US national record.
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