Career
In 1905 she set a new world record in the 100-yard freestyle that stood for seven years. She was selected for the 1908 Olympics, but the women"s swimming events were cancelled due to a shortage of participants. In 1971 she was inducted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer".
Fletcher was born in an underprivileged family of 11 siblings and had to combine swimming with daily 12-hour work.
In 1913 she began teaching swimming in Leicester, which ended her competitive career as she turned from an amateur into a professional.