Women's History Month - Gertrude Ederle

In recognition of Women’s History Month, Smithtown Matters is proud to recognize the accomplishments of women.  It is fascinating to learn the wonderful and interesting ways women have made their mark on the world.  Throughout March, SmithtownMatters will give a brief history of women who made a difference.

By Rosanne Nelan

Day 6 - Gertrude Caroline Ederle - Competitive Swimmer, First Female to swim English Channel. Set the record for crossing the English Channel in 1926. 1924 Gold medal and Bronze medalist  in Summer Olympics.

Gertrude Caroline Ederle was a famous American competitive swimmer who, at the age of 19, became the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926. She broke all previous records for swimming the English Channel with a time of 14 hours and 39 minutes. Her record stood for 35 years. Gertrude set 29 United States and world records between 1921 and 1925. In the 1924 Summer Olympics she earned a gold medal as part of the 400-meter freestyle relay team and bronze medals in the 100-meter and 400-meter freestyle races.

Gertrude Ederle also know as the Queen of Waves, was born and raised in New York City. She learned to swim in Highlands, New Jersey.  She trained at the Women’s Swimming Association and by the age of thirteen had broken more amateur records than any other woman in the world.

On August 6, 1926 she completed the feat of swimming across the channel. While swimming she was followed along by a boat to insure her well being.  During her twelfth hour at sea, the captain of the ship became so upset about foul weather that someone on board, called to her “Gertie, you must come out! “The exhausted swimmer called back from the waters and replied, “What for?”

When she returned to her home town of NYC after her heroic swim across the English Channel, she was greeted by Mayor James J. Walker and two million people who lined lower Broadway and showered her in ticker tape. She was first person honored in a parade with ticker tape.

Throughout her life she had hearing problems due to an early childhood sickness. Towards the end of her life, she began teaching deaf children to swim. She was an extremely determined and hardworking woman who proved her self to the world. Her accomplishments will always serve as evidence for the endless possibilities for women in sports. 

This excellent example of women’s potential died on November 30, 2003 in Wyckoff, Jersey.