Honoring Theresa A. Manuel

70 years ago Theresa Alatamese Manuel was just returning from London and the 1948 Olympic games as the first African American woman from Florida to compete in the games

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Today there is a track named in her honor at Middleton High School in Tampa, Florida. It was brought to my attention that the current historic marker has deteriorated and needs to be replaced.

(Photo: The Theresa Manuel Story, courtesy Kerrick Williams Photography and a grant from Hillsborough County Commissioners)

My introduction to Ms. Manuel came in the form of a fascinating Bergert Brothers photo of her and her championship Middleton basketball team.

(Photo: Theresa A Manuel and Middleton Championship basketball team, 1954, Courtesy of HCPL)

Meeting her was a moment to remember.

(Photo: Courtesy of Ersula K Odom)

Yes, it was a moment to remember. I photographed her as she held my book and read what I wrote about her. This is the kind of moment I live for. Where history meets today and speaks to the future.