The
mother of American women’s
swimming, Charlotte Epstein established
women’s swimming as a recognized
sport in the United States and
was responsible for its inclusion on the
1920 Antwerp Olympic Games program.
In October 1914, Epstein founded
the National Women’s Life Saving League, later changed
to New York
Women’s Swimming Association
(WSA). She was the organizer, the
manager, and provided the continuity
and tenacity that made it go and kept
it going. Within months of the WSA’s
establishment, Eppy persuaded the
U.S. Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)
to permit women swimmers, for the
first time to register as athletes with
the AAU.
A court stenographer by trade, Epstein
led the United States lady swimmers
to the 1920, 1924, and 1932
Olympiads. During this time, American
female swimmers dominated
the Games, and among the swimmers
considered Epstein’s protégés were
champions Gertrude Ederle, Aleen Riggin,
and Eleanor Holm.
The success of the American
women’s swim team at the Antwerp
Olympics led to the inclusion of track
and field and other sports for women
in future Olympic Games. Women’s
archery and golf first appeared in the
1900 and 1904 Olympics and had been
the only events open to females. Ashort
list of ladies’ track and field events appeared
for the first time at the 1928 Olympic Games.
Epstein’s name and face were seldom
in public print. Nevertheless, she
was assistant manager of the 1932 U.S.
Women’s Olympic Swim Team—the
first woman to be named for such an
honor. Four years later, she was invited
to coach the 1936 U.S. Women’s
Olympic Swim Team, but declined and
resigned from the United States
Olympic Committee in protest against
Nazi Germany’s policies.
During her 22 years with
the WSA, Epstein’s swimmers set 51 world records
and registered 31 U.S. Champion
Relay Teams.
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