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Image of Helene Madison in nurse's uniform seated at desk, circa 1936
1970.5051.77
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Photograph

Helene Madison in nurse's uniform seated at desk, circa 1936

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Helene Madison started swimming at Green Lake when she was 12 years old. At 19, she swept the women's freestyle swimming events in the 1932 Olympics. That year, she held all 16 women's world freestyle records and 56 American awards. When she returned to Seattle, the city presented her with a car, a Navy and Police escort and Seattle's largest ticker tape parade. Madison was unable to compete further in Olympic events due to some brief and unsuccessful professional endeavors. The challenges of two failed marriages, debt, diabetes and cancer filled Madison's later years in life.

This photograph portrays Madison around 1936, after her retirement from amateur competitive swimming. After a brief and unsuccessful career in entertainment and a confectionary stand job at Green Lake, Madison decided to enter training at Virginia Mason Hospital to pursue a career as a registered nurse. This photo shows Madison in her Virginia Mason uniform.

Stamped on verso: Associated Press Photo.
ID Number: 1970.5051.77
Date: Circa 1936
Creator(s): Associated Press, Photographer
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 8 x 10 in.
Additional Information: View the finding aid for this collection at https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv81723
Credit: MOHAI, Helene Madison Papers, 1970.5051.77
Copyright: All Rights Reserved
Subjects: Medicine and Health Care

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