In observance of Black History Month, JWS dedicates its Wednesday features this February to honoring the legacy of pioneering Black women in sports. This week, the spotlight falls on Bonnie St. John, a figure whose journey to the podium redefined possibilities for athletes with disabilities.
Her path to athletic excellence was one of remarkable self-reliance and determination. Having undergone a leg amputation in childhood, St. John embarked on her skiing career at the age of 15. With no formal initial training, she relied on photocopied instructional materials and utilized donated equipment to teach herself the fundamentals of the sport.
This foundational period of autodidactic learning paved the way for more structured training. She subsequently honed her skills at Vermont’s prestigious Burke Mountain Academy, an experience that culminated in her qualification for the 1984 Winter Paralympics as a member of the US team.
A Historic Achievement on the World Stage
The 1984 Winter Paralympics in Innsbruck, Austria, served as the stage for St. John’s historic breakthrough. Competing as a Team USA skier, she secured an overall silver medal, an accomplishment that carried significance far beyond the podium. With this victory, Bonnie St. John etched her name in the annals of sports history by becoming the first African-American athlete ever to win a medal at the Winter Paralympic Games.
Her achievement, documented by institutions like the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum, stands as a powerful testament to perseverance, breaking through dual barriers of race and disability to claim a place among the world’s elite athletes.