At 17, Elizabeth (Betty) Robinson (pictured second from the left) from Illinois made history when she became the first female Olympic gold medallist in a track and field event. Unaware of her talent until a teacher saw her running for a train a year prior, Robinson had to join the boys’ track team at her school due to the lack of opportunities for girls at the time. The 1928 Olympics, held in Amsterdam, was the first where women could participate in track events. Robinson won the 100-meter sprint final (only her fourth ever meet) by half a meter.













