Born: 30 November 1891, Australia
Died: 6 July 1984
Country most active: Australia
Also known as: Wilhelmina Wylie
The following is excerpted from Infinite Women creator Allison Tyra’s book Uncredited: Women’s Overlooked, Misattributed, and Stolen Work.
In the 1910s, Australian Fanny Durack was the best female swimmer in the world. Yet despite holding many records in Australia, the New South Wales Ladies Swimming Association tried to prevent her and fellow badass Mina Wylie from participating in the 1912 Olympics—the first to include women’s swimming. First the organisation tried to refuse permission for Durack and Wylie to go at all. Then, perhaps realising that wasn’t going to work—both women seemed the type to embody the “yeah, nah mate” Aussie attitude—the NSWLSA “relented” but refused to provide any financial support. Durack and Wylie had to raise the funds themselves—not only for themselves, but for their required chaperones.
And they did. Their community supported them when the NSWLSA wouldn’t, and they were able to raise the necessary funds. Fanny became the first Australian woman to win an Olympic gold medal, with Mina right behind her taking the silver. Fanny also set a new world record in the 100-metre freestyle. They were prevented from participating in the relay, which required four swimmers, even after they offered to each go twice.
Read more (Wikipedia)
Read more (Australian Dictionary of Biography)
Listen (Fierce Girls podcast)