Albright, Tenley (1935–)

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Albright, Tenley (1935–)

American figure skater. Born Tenley Emma Albright, July 18, 1935, in Newton Center, Massachusetts; graduated from Radcliffe College, 1957, and Harvard Medical School, MD, 1961; m. Tudor Gardiner, 1962 (divorced); m. Gerald W. Blakeley.

Earned regional championship title for age 12 and under (1947); won US Novice championship at 13; won US Jr. title at 14; won US National championships 5 times (1952–56); won a silver medal at Oslo Olympics (1952); was 1st American woman to win a World title (1953) and 1st American to capture an Olympic gold medal in figure skating, at Cortina (1956); was 1st woman to be named to US Olympic Committee (1976). Was 1st woman admitted to Harvard University Hall of Fame (1974); inducted into US Figure Skating Hall of Fame (1976) and Olympic Hall of Fame (1988).

See also Women in World History.