Jesse Owens Accomplishments

We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self discipline, and effort. ~Jesse Owens Jesse Owens track and field legend ran with great determination, dedication, and self discipline. Starting at a young age he began to brake records in track and fields events, and continued to brake records in his high school and college career. Leading him to the Olympics, where he captured four gold medals, but still had to battle the hardships of being an African American man. He went on to support and encourage other young people to pursue their dreams. Jesse Owens inspired many other people to succeed from his triumphs and failures. Jesse Owens learned hard work and persevering at a

He was devoted family man, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Solomon, in 1935; the couple had three daughters Beverly, Gloria, and Marlene. Athletes did not return home from the Olympics to the luxury of advertisement and endorsement campaigns in those days, so Owens had to work a variety of jobs to support his young family. One of those included working as a playground director in Cleveland, Ohio, and this was Jesse’s first step to working with underprivileged youth. He loved young people and spent his later life sponsoring youth sports programs throughout the nation and was a member and former director of the Chicago Boys’ Club. He also worked in the publicity and promotion area in his later years for several companies, including Ford Motor Company and the United States Olympic Committee. He then formed his own public relations group, and gave inspirational speeches stressing the importance of religion, hard work, and loyalty; he gave these speeches at civic meetings, sports banquets, PTAs, church organizations, black history programs, as well as high school and college ceremonies. Owens was a great role model for black American youth. Jesse was honored with many awards in his time, in 1976, he was presented the Medal of Freedom by President Gerald Ford in front of members of the Unites Sates Montreal Olympic team. In February 1979, he was also awarded with the Living Legend Award by President Carter in the White House. On this occasion Carter said, “ A young man who possibly didn't even realize the superb nature of his own capabilities went to the Olympics and performed in a way that I don't believe has ever been equaled since.” After living a fulfilling life Jesse Owens died on March 13, 1980, due to severe lung cancer, in Tucson,