Wisconsin Badgers

In 1974, Gilda Hudson-Winfield became the first Black female student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin. Originally from New Orleans and with no prior athletic experience, Hudson-Winfield walked onto the track team and quickly became a significant contributor. In 1976 she won Big Ten titles in the 100-yard dash and the 4x100 relay. Her efforts were rewarded when she became one of UW’s first female scholarship athletes.

Hudson-Winfield went on to fulfill her dream of becoming a lawyer and owning a successful private practice in Illinois.