As a young woman, Vicki Manalo was limited to swim in pools
As a young woman, Vicki Manalo was limited to swim in pools when it was “International Day” before they cleaned the pool for use of “White Only” the next day. Born to parents who could not walk hand-in-hand in public because of their different racial backgrounds. Yet none of these obstacles prevented her from becoming the first woman at the age of 24-years-old to win two gold medals in diving at the Summer Olympics (London, 1948).
Vicki’s perseverance and tenacity that eventually caught the eye of some of the greatest diving coaches of the time — Sammy Lee (Korean American and first Asian American male Olympian) and her future husband, Lyle Draves. That same perseverance that earned her a berth on the US Olympic team, winning at the very highest levels, and eventually parlaying that success into a world-class professional diving career.
Throughout her career, Vicki dove for her father, for Filipinos, for women, and for a community that accepted her as an equal — not an outsider — in the sport that she loved.
We need to keep her story alive. But, we need your help.
With Vicki’s family’s full support and encouragement, Georgina Tolentino started this journey in telling her story in a bigger way. Vicki’s life inspired her, and she can’t let the world go on without knowing more about her.
Please, help me in making Vicki’s story be told.
The deadline is March 9th and the campaign needs a push.
Visit www.kickstarter.com.