Lillian Greene-Chamberlain
American sprinter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lillian Greene-Chamberlain (born 1941) is an American educator and former track and field athlete.
Since she began running at the age of 16 in 1957.[1] She received the first women's athletic scholarship to the Colorado State Rams track and field team, establishing the women's track team and becoming the first African-American female athlete in school history. A scholarship fund was later founded under her name.[2]
She was the first U.S. national champion in the 440-yard run indoors,[3] the first African-American woman to represent the U.S. in the 400m and 800m in international competitions,[4] a three-time U.S. national champion and American record holder, a Pan American Games champion, and a three-time U.S. All-American national team member.
In 2007, she was named one of the 100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America by Business Wire.[5] She served on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports from 2006 to 2008.[6] She is also a former Women's Sports Foundation trustee.[7]