Mabel Staton, a prominent figure in track and field who broke significant racial barriers, has passed away at the age of 92. Known as Mabel Landry during her time at DePaul University in the 1950s, she made history by being the sole woman representing the United States in long jump during the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Her death occurred on Thursday, following a prolonged battle with cancer, as communicated by her daughter to school officials. Staton was honored for her achievements by being inducted into DePaul’s athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.
Staton’s journey was remarkable, as she was the only American woman who met the Olympic qualifying standard leading up to the Helsinki Games, where she finished in seventh place. In her Olympic qualifying round, she achieved an impressive jump of 5.88 meters (19 feet, 3.5 inches), briefly placing her as the Olympic record holder until New Zealand’s Yvette Williams later surpassed her with a jump of 6.16 meters (20 feet, 2.5 inches). In a recent interview with CBS News Philadelphia, Staton expressed that “being on the Olympic team was not about winning; it was about taking part.” Her perspective highlighted the honor and significance of participation.
Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Staton first participated in athletics through the Catholic Youth Organization. A notable incident from her adolescence involved her coach securing her a sleeping compartment on a train to Texas for her inaugural national AAU meet. Upon reaching the historically significant Mason-Dixon Line, a conductor informed her that she had to relocate to join other Black passengers, prompting the CYO to file a civil rights lawsuit against the Illinois Central Railroad, which they won. This victory provided her the necessary funds to establish an interracial track team, thought to be the first of its kind in the Midwest.
Reflecting on her experiences, Staton acknowledged the challenges posed by segregation but credited her faith, family support, and encouragement from coaches and teammates as vital to her journey. Over her athletic career, she claimed four national long jump titles and served as a key member of the 4×100-meter relay team for the United States, which secured victory at the 1955 Pan American Games. Staton’s remarkable legacy remains a testament to her resilience and unwavering dedication to her sport.
