...Wilma was born prematurely and weighed only 4.5 pounds. Again, because of racial segregation, she and her mother were not permitted to be cared for at the local hospital. It was for whites only. There was only one black doctor in Clarksville, and the Rudolph's budget was tight, so Wilma's mother spent the next several years nursing Wilma through one illness after another: measles, mumps, scarlet fever, chicken pox and double pneumonia. But, she had to be taken to the doctor when it was discovered that her left leg and foot were becoming weak and deformed. She was told she had polio, a crippling disease that had no cure. The doctor told Mrs. Rudolph that Wilma would never walk. But Mrs. Rudolph would not give up on Wilma. She found out that she could be treated at Meharry Hospital, the black medical college of Fisk University in Nashville. Even though it was 50 miles away, Wilma's mother took her there twice a week for two years, until she was able to walk with the aid of a metal leg brace. Then the doctors taught Mrs. Rudolph how to do the physical therapy exercises at home. All of her brothers and sisters helped too, and they did everything to encourage her to be strong and work hard at getting well. Finally, by age 12, she could walk normally, without the crutches, brace, or corrective shoes. It was then that she decided to become an athlete....
- United Press Athlete of the Year 1960
- Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year 1960
- James E. Sullivan Award for Good Sportsmanship 1961 *
- The Babe Zaharias Award 1962
- European Sportswriters' Sportsman of the Year *
- Christopher Columbus Award for Most Outstanding International Sports Personality 1960*
- The Penn Relays 1961 *
- New York Athletic Club Track Meet *
- The Millrose Games *
- Black Sports Hall of Fame 1980
- U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame 1983
- Vitalis Cup for Sports Excellence 1983
- Women's Sports Foundation Award 1984
