Today In Black History: Mabel Fairbanks
Pioneering Ice Skater and Figure Skating Coach to the Stars
Issue #775 Today In Black History, Monday, December 10, 2024
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Mabel Fairbanks was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on November 14, 1915, and later moved to New York City. She became a pioneering figure skater in a sport traditionally dominated by white athletes.
Mabel’s figure skating journey began in the 1930s when she taught herself to skate on the frozen ponds of Central Park.
Although she was barred from training at many established rinks due to racial discrimination, her determination and talent led her to skate in several shows and exhibitions. She eventually toured with ice shows, including the Ice Capades, where she showcased her exceptional skills and charisma.
Mabel caught the eye of the legendary 9-time U.S. Ladies Champion, Maribel Vinson Owen, who encouraged her to create her own shows and events, including shows in the Supper Clubs, the Apollo Theatre, and other social venues in and around Harlem.
Fairbanks was not allowed to compete in the national qualifying event for the Olympics or any competition. Fairbanks performed in shows in New York until the 1940s. She often wore pink or purple skate boots rather than the more common black or white.
In the late 1940s, Fairbanks left the East Coast for California and quickly gained fame and respect, becoming the coach of the children of Hollywood, including Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Ozzie and Harriet’s Ricky Nelson, and Otto Preminger.
While Fairbanks was never allowed to compete at the highest levels of competition due to racial segregation, she became one of the first African-American figure skating coaches in the United States, nurturing a new generation of skaters.
Fairbanks's most notable protégés include Olympic medalists Tai Babilonia, Debi Thomas, and Atoy Wilson, who became the first Black skater to win a national title in the United States.
Fairbanks coached until she was 79 years old.
In 1997, Mabel Fairbanks was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, becoming the first African-American woman to receive this honor. In October 2001, she was inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame.
Mabel Fairbanks was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 1997 and with acute leukemia in mid-2001. She died at age 85 on September 29, 2001.
Today In Black History
In 1872, P.B.S. Pinchback was sworn in as the first Black governor of Louisiana after H.C. Warmoth was impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors.
In 1961, the African nation of Tanzania was proclaimed independent from Britain.
In 1971, Bill Picket became the first Black elected to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
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