"Olympic medalist and U.S. National Champion Tim Morehouse's memoir is a story of teamwork and individualism, monastic dedication and high-stakes competition-- the difference between a dream and its demise separated by 120 milliseconds at the tip of a sword."--Page 4 of cover.

THE FIRST FEMALE MUSLIM AMERICAN TO MEDAL AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES NAMED ONE OF TIME'S 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE Growing up in New Jersey as the only African American Muslim at school, Ibtihaj Muhammad always had to find her own way. When she discovered fencing, a sport traditionally reserved for the wealthy, she had to defy expectations and make a place for herself in a sport she grew to love. From winning state championships to three-time All-America selections at Duke University, Ibtihaj was poised for success, but the fencing community wasn't ready to welcome her with open arms just yet. As the only woman of color and the only religious minority on Team USA's saber fencing squad, Ibtihaj had to chart her own path to success and Olympic glory. Proud is a moving coming-of-age story from one of the nation's most influential athletes and illustrates how she rose above it all.

In these engaging and forthright interviews, thirteen African American athletes talk about how they endured through pain, loneliness, and rejection to become champions. In sports as diverse as football and fencing, wrestling and track and field, these men and women triumphed over the odds to become better than the best. Their legacy is in their accomplishments and in their determination to continue contributing to the societal transformation their efforts helped make possible. A V Ethel Willis White Book

While fencing was once the prerogative of men alone -- by tradition and by choice -- fencing has evolved into a sport that is no longer gender exclusive. It is a game that may be mastered by anyone. Today, women play an important and equal role in fencing, and yet, there has never been a volume specifically addressing the issue of women as fencing entities... until now!

Excluded from history books, overlooked in classrooms and neglected by the media, African Americans have long been denied an accurate picture of their contributions to America, from colonial days to the present. But times have changed and the record can now be set straight. From the inventors of the traffic light and the gas mask to winners of an Oscar and the Olympic gold, this authoritative resource reveals over 450 'firsts' by African Americans - wonderful accomplishments achieved despite poverty, discrimination and racism.

Updated With The Latest Facts And Photos "A Black history buff's dream." --Ebony From ground-breaking achievements to awe-inspiring feats of excellence, this definitive resource reveals over 450 "firsts" by African Americans in fields as diverse as government, entertainment, education, science, medicine, law, the military, and the business world. Discover the first doctor to perform open heart surgery and the youngest person to fly solo around the world. Learn about the first African Americans to walk in space, to serve two terms as President of the United States, and many other wonderful and important contributions often accomplished despite poverty, discrimination, and racism. Did you know that. . . At her first Olympics, Gabrielle Douglas became the first African American woman to win gold in both the team and individual all-around Olympic competitions. Sophia Danenberg scaled new heights as the first African American to reach the top of Mount Everest. Dr. Patricia E. Bath revolutionized laser eye surgery as the first African American woman doctor to receive a patent. Shonda Rhimes was the first African American woman to create and produce a top television series. Ursula Burns was the first African American woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Spanning colonial days to the present, African American Firsts is a clear reflection of a prideful legacy, a celebration of our changing times, and a signpost to an even greater future. Over 100 Pages of Photographs Fully Revised and Updated "Fascinating. . .an excellent source for browsing and for locating facts that are hard to find elsewhere." --School Library Journal "I recommend this book, a tool with innumerable possibilities which will help individuals understand. . .the contributions and inventions of African Americans." --The late Dr. Betty Shabazz "For browsing or serious queries on great achievements by blacks in America." --Booklist

The first Muslim American woman to wear a hijab while competing for the United States in the Olympics, Ibtihaj Muhammad has become a symbol of diversity and tolerance for America. Muhammad has broken the mold by becoming a standout female Muslim American athlete and is an inspiration to many. In 2016, Muhammad reached the high point of her fencing career so far, becoming the first female Muslim American athlete to earn a medal at the Olympic Games. Full-color photographs and a detailed timeline provide readers with essential information into Muhammad's life.

Breathtaking. Unexpected. Deserved.Where has American fencing been and where is it going? This book will take you on a journey along with American fencing from the beginnings in the times of the Founding Fathers, all the way through the lackluster first decades of American competition in the Olympic Games, and on to today where American fencing stands poised to build on its success and become a major player on the world stage. It's been a complicated road for the United States, one that's intertwined with world politics and changing social structures. The American story is one of immigration and tenacity. For the better part of a hundred years, American fencing was the undisputed underdog. Over the last twenty years, that's changed. The United States stands at the ready to take on the most prominent fencing superpowers and to win. The wins have begun already, with American fencers rising to podiums in World Championships and Olympic Games, across weapons and across genders.Noticing the change is one thing, understanding why it happened is another. How have American fencers gone from being at the bottom of the fencing barrel to rising to the top? What is unique about the American fencing story in comparison to established European fencing powers? Where is American fencing going and how will the past inform the future?Going from a nobody to a somebody is a classic American story. Here we chronicle the influences that have pushed the United States through a breathtaking and unexpected rise to the top of world fencing. From Cold War politics to competitive structures, generational learning to innovative techniques, here you'll find the wandering and thrilling tale of how we got here. There's undoubtedly a long way yet to go, but learning the path here is key to taking American fencing forward towards that well-deserved success.