CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – As part of Read Across America, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Education Association is donating a copy of a very special book to all 24 local elementary school libraries.
The book is titled “Little People, Big Dreams: Wilma Rudolph,” by Ma Isabel Sanchez Vegara.
CMCEA President Constance Brown said Oakland Elementary was their first stop to help show support for Read Across America.
Wilma Rudolph was a track and field athlete from Clarksville who was the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympics. She also broke three world records in the 1960 summer Olympics.
Along with her many other awards, Rudolph won the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year in 1961 and earned the title “fastest woman in the world.” Rudolph was also inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
Oakland Principal Cindy Adams said the book about Wilma Rudolph will be an excellent addition to the school’s library.
“We really try to encourage our children to be strong readers, we have a wonderful librarian and a wonderful program. It’s very important for us to have a diverse selection of books for the children,” Adams said.