By Daily Press staff
Anita L. DeFrantz, Olympic bronze medalist and one of the most powerful women in the Olympic sports movement, is coming to SMC.
DeFrantz will give a free talk, “Women in Sports: Life Lessons,” at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, in the Santa Monica College Concert Hall, 1900 Pico Blvd. The special appearance is being held as part of SMC’s observance of Women’s History Month.
A descendant of slaves, DeFrantz rose from humble beginnings to be an influential figure in international athletics, and a leader and role model for all women.
In 1986, the International Olympic Committee appointed DeFrantz to lifetime membership in the organization. She is both the first African-American and the first American woman to serve on the committee. She became the first female vice president of the IOC executive committee in 1997.
DeFrantz was captain of the U.S. rowing team and won the bronze at the 1976 Montreal Games. In addition, she is a six-time national rowing champion.
An attorney, she has been outspoken and active in international Olympic issues and is considered a potential for president of the IOC.
DeFrantz was listed in 2003 among the “101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports” by Sports Illustrated and named one of “Southern California’s Most Influential Executives in Sports” by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2004.
DeFrantz’s appearance is sponsored by the SMC Athletics Department and the SMC Associates, a private organization that funds speakers and special programs on campus. Fighting cancer with your feet
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 14, 2005. Read the original PDF.