“G” is for Godbold, Lucile Ellerbe (1900-1981). Olympic athlete, educator. Born in Marion County, Godbold achieved prominence as one of America’s first female Olympic champions. She was a standout athlete at Winthrop College. She earned a spot on the 1922 US track and field team that was the first time women competed in the Olympics. At the Olympics, in Paris, Godbold competed in six events helping the US team to a second place finish. She won a gold medal in the shot put; placed second in the basketball throw; third in the javelin; and fourth in the three-hundred-meter dash and the one-thousand-meter run. An international phenomenon, she returned home to great acclaim. In September 1922 Lucile Ellerbe Godbold began duties as the director of physical education at the all-female Columbia College—and remained there for fifty-eight years.
“G” is for Godbold, Lucile Ellerbe (1900-1981)
