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Tempos de trevas…
Known as the “Australian Mermaid,” swimmer Annette Kellerman — who was born on this day in 1886 — took the world by storm at the turn of the twentieth century, not just as a skilled long-distance swimmer, but also a daring stunts woman, vaudeville performer, silent movie star, and swimsuit innovator who was once arrested for “indecency” due to her one-piece suit!
Originally a therapy for legs weakened by rickets as a child, swimming became a passion for Kellerman — but often with a dramatic twist. Dressed as a mermaid, she earned money as a teen by diving into a glass tank of underwater creatures. As a young woman, she swam 26 miles (42 km) of the Thames River – making her the first woman to do so; repeatedly attempted the cross the English Channel (without success, but with no shortage of gumption), and was arrested for indecency in 1907 for wearing a fitted, one-piece bathing suit on Revere Beach near Boston, Massachusetts (in place of the contemporary costume with pantaloons that she considered far too impractical).
In later years, she incorporated theatrics and risky dives into performances throughout the US, including on Hollywood’s screens. Always a revolutionary, synchronized swimming is considered the brainchild of the talented Ms. Kellerman, as is the one-piece swimsuit. Her one-piece suit became so popular that it was known as the “Annette Kellerman” and was the first step toward the invention of modern swimwear.
Annette Kellerman is featured in the inspiring picture book “Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World” for ages 5 to 9 at https://www.amightygirl.com/shaking-things-up
Her story is also told in an upcoming new picture book “Annette Feels Free: The True Story of Annette Kellerman” for ages 4 to 8 at https://www.amightygirl.com/annette-feels-free
For an excellent picture book about girls and women who refused to take no for an answer and broke barriers in sports of all kinds, we highly recommend “Girls With Guts!” for ages 6 to 9 at https://www.amightygirl.com/girls-with-guts
For a fantastic introduction to 50 pioneering female athletes, we also recommend the illustrated biography “Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win” for ages 9 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/women-in-sports
For girl-empowering books celebrate the joys and growth that comes with summer, visit our blog post “50 Mighty Girl Books About Summertime Adventure, Growth, & Discovery” at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=19393
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