Paralympian and Foundation Past President
By Yolanda L. Jackson
One Saturday afternoon back in 1997, I was channel surfing to see if I could find any sports activity. As I mechanically flipped through the channels I quickly passed what looked like a person on inverted skis! I said, "no that could not be what I saw", so I searched back and sure enough there she was, this amazing woman streaking down the track on prosthetic legs! I just could not believe my eyes because it was the first time I had ever seen anything like it! I was totally blown away. I sat mesmerized as the announcer talked about this stunning Georgetown track star Aimee Mullins. He spoke of her many achievements especially her participation in the Paralympics and how she was a role model for athletes with disabilities. I knew immediately that she would be an amazing addition to the Foundation and that I had to track her down.
That following Monday, I got her contact information from Georgetown...I was amazed that they gave it to me without questioning my intent, but I guess calling from the Foundation had its advantages! I got in touch with Aimee and invited her to the annual awards dinner. Her reception when she was introduced during the Grand March of Athletes, was stunning. It took the audience a good twenty seconds to realize that the person they saw gliding across the stage, like she was walking on air, in stiletto heels and a full length gown split at the side, had no legs...that she was a double, below the knee amputee. When the realization finally struck them, the entire audience, all 1300 of them, stood in unison and gave her a thundering ovation! It was the most amazing tribute given to an athlete, aside from Billie Jean, that I had ever seen at that event!
That was Aimee's introduction to the Foundation. She has been involved with us in many supporting ways ever since and in 2006 the Board of Trustees showed its appreciation by electing her as our President!
To see what amazing accomplishments Aimee has made on the track, check out her Women's Sports Foundation bio.