Name/Title
Medal, CommemorativeEntry/Object ID
1249LDescription
Puyallup native Gertrude Wilhelmsen was awarded this medallion with “Championship” above the cloth portion by placing third in the javelin (119 feet, 3 inches) at the 1936 United States Olympic Trials at Randall’s Island Stadium in New York City.
Wilhelmsen went on to place seventh in the javelin at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics.
Wilhelmsen was one of the athletes interviewed for a July 13, 1936 article by The Associated Press headlined, ‘Children Are No Hindrance,’ Say Women Olympic Athletes
In the article, Wilhelmsen said having her daughter, then 2 ½, enabled her to throw the discus and javelin further.
“I’m better than I was before,” she said. “I feel so free. I feel 100 per cent.”
The article also mentioned Wilhelmsen’s husband Andrew, who worked at a Tacoma flour mill.
“He’s the one that encourages me along. He foes to the field when I’m practicing, just to help and encourage.”Lexicon
Search Terms
Track & Field, Track and field, Olympics, Documentary ArtifactRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Wilhelmsen, GertrudePerson or Organization
1936 United States Olympic TrialsPerson or Organization
Randall's Island StadiumPerson or Organization
1936 Berlin Summer OlympicsPerson or Organization
Wilhelmsen, Andrew
