Helene Emma Madison started swimming at Green Lake in Seattle 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, 56 American awards, and was the first woman to swim the 100-yard freestyle in one minute flat. Unfortunately she was unable to compete further in Olympic events due to some brief and unsuccessful professional endeavors. The Depression stymied her attempts to find work as a professional swimmer and she wasn't able to coach in Seattle at the time because the Parks Department barred women from teaching swimming. In 1966 Ms. Madison was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, however the challenges of two failed marriages, debt, diabetes, and cancer filled Madison's later years in life.

This certificate was awarded to Helene Madison after she set the American record for swimming in the 300 yard race on September 12, 1931. Ms. Madison swam her event in 3 minutes and 58 seconds on the long course (50 meters) at the annual convention of the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States.

Caption information source: "Madison, Helene (1913-1970)," by Alan Stein, HistoryLink.org Essay 293.