Rose Robinson was a fierce advocate and track & field athlete, known for her fortitude in sticking up for what she felt was right and just. While she and both of her sisters led their Amateur Athletic Union track team to multiple titles, Rose was one of the original examples of someone who utilized their athletic platform to fight for social justice. In 1958, Rose rejected an offer to compete for Team USA’s track team in the Soviet Union, opposed to the idea of representing an ideal of freedom and equality while Black people were continually being denied equality in America. The following year, decades long before Colin Kaepernick took a knee, Rose attended the Pan-American Games as a member of the U.S. Track & Field team and refused to stand for the national anthem in a truly unprecedented act. Rose also engaged in anti-war protests, hunger strikes, and tireless efforts to desegregate public spaces. While there was no media like we see today, she utilized every opportunity to raise her voice and speak out against injustices in order to elevate equality for Black women in sport, society and beyond. #KeepLeading

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