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Babe Didrikson-Zaharias

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Inducted: 2004
Induction Class: Jesse Owens (Track & Field), Jackie Robinson (Baseball), Babe Didrikson-Zaharias (Golf)
Sport: Olympic Games, Golf
Years Active: 1932
Born: June 26, 1911
(Died:  Sept. 27, 1956)
Birthplace: Port Arthur, Texas
Community Focus: Gender Equity
Foundation: Babe Didrikson-Zaharias Foundation

Babe Didrikson-Zaharias, pioneering female athlete and two -time Olympic gold medalist in track and field, was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 2004, which included Olympic track and field star Jesse Owens and baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson.

Mildred “Babe” Didrikson-Zaharias was an outstanding all-around American athlete. Her only international competition was in track and field, where she achieved tremendous success, winning two gold medals in the 80m hurdles and javelin throw and one silver medal in the high jump at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.  She also won 17 consecutive golf tournaments, including the British Women's Amateur Championship, before turning professional in 1947. The following year Didrikson helped found the Ladies Professional Golf Association in order to provide the handful of professional women golfers with a tournament circuit. She was herself the LPGA's leading money winner between 1949 and 1951. In 1950 the Associated Press voted her Woman Athlete of the Half-Century. She was also an All-American basketball player and involved in baseball, softball , diving, roller-skating, and bowling. Her nickname, “Babe,” arose after she hit five home runs in one baseball game. Zaharias’ life was cut short in 1956 at the age of 45 by colon cancer. After her death, the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Foundation was created in her honor.