Adelaide Gehrig

Background

She was born in 1887 in Newark, New Jersey, to German immigrants John Gehrig (a blacksmith) and Maria Gehrig née Language.

Career

In 1924, she represented the United States in Paris, in the first Olympic Games in which women competed. She was no relation to Yankees First Baseman Lou Gehrig, although Lou used to work out at the New York Turnverein as a youth.

Achievements

• Gehrig was the only woman in United States foil history to win four consecutive titles. Representing the New York Turnverein, Gehrig was AFLA Women"s Foil Champion four years in a row (1920 to 1923), a feat unmatched by any other American woman.