Gertrude (“Trudy”) Ederle plunged into the frigid water of the Atlantic Ocean. It was 7:08 AM on August 6, 1926 when she left the beach on the west coast of France — her goal was England. Trudy was determined to become the first woman to swim across the English Channel. 

As Trudy swam along, she was motivated by the voices of her family and coach. They were aboard the tugboat, Alsace, which accompanied Trudy across the Channel. Her sister, Meg, swam with her from time to time. She also sang Trudy’s favorite songs, which helped Trudy keep her stroke slow and steady.

A few reporters were on board the Alsace as well — Trudy was sponsored by the Chicago Tribune and New York Daily News, which gave them exclusive coverage of her swim. They took pictures and updated America on her progress by wireless telegraph.

Trudy had to be ready for whatever came her way.  The Channel was known for its unpredictability — sudden storms, freezing temperatures, disorienting fog, powerful currents, jellyfish, an occasional shark, and a lot of boats (back then, it was the busiest shipping lane in the world).  

A few miles into the swim, Trudy found herself battling Mother Nature.  First, the wind picked up and the sea swelled with 20-foot waves; most people aboard the Alsace became seasick. Then, the currents and tides tossed Trudy about; for nearly an hour, she barely made any progress.  

Thousands of people waited for Trudy’s arrival on the beaches of England. Their bonfires guided her into shore. It was 9:40 PM when she walked out of the water at Kingsdown Beach. She was exhausted, freezing, and disoriented. But there was one more obstacle between her and a hot bath — an English official asked to see her passport. 

At age 19, Trudy shocked the world. She accomplished her goal of becoming the first woman to swim the Channel. But even more surprising was her official time of 14 hours, 39 minutes — she swam it nearly two hours faster than any man! And no woman beat her record for 24 years.  

Trudy shattered America’s views about women with her remarkable accomplishment. Back then, women were considered the “weaker sex” – most people assumed they had little physical strength or stamina. Trudy proved everyone wrong. Overnight, she became one of the most popular athletes in America. 

Trudy’s swim inspired thousands of women to participate in sports. In fact, over 50,000 women had earned their American Red Cross swimming certificates by 1930. And they have dominated the water ever since. In fact, American women have won over 200 Olympic medals in swimming over the years. We can't wait to watch the US women's swimming team this summer!