photograph of young woman with dark short hair

"Betty" Becker-Pinkston

3/6/1903 - 4/6/1989

Vocation

Athletics

Geographic Connection to Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

Abstract

Elizabeth "Betty" Becker Pinkston, born March 6, 1903, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was an American diver and Olympic gold medalist. She trained at the Meadowbrook Club and became the first woman from Philadelphia to win Olympic gold, capturing the 10-meter platform title in 1924 and adding a silver in 3-meter springboard. At the 1928 Olympics, she earned a second gold in springboard diving. Her accomplishments helped legitimize women’s competitive diving on the international stage. Pinkston was inducted into both the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. She died April 6, 1989, in Detroit, Michigan.

Sources

“Betty Becker Pinkston.” International Swimming Hall of Fame, ishof.org/honoree/honoree-betty-becker-pinkston.

“Elizabeth Becker Pinkston.” Olympics.com, International Olympic Committee, olympics.com/en/athletes/elizabeth-becker-pinkston.

“Elizabeth Becker Pinkston.” Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, phillyhall.org/inductee_profile.asp?ind=340.

“Elizabeth Becker Pinkston Wins Second Diving Olympic Gold.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, 5 Aug. 2012, inquirer.com/philly/blogs/TODAY-IN-PHILADELPHIA-HISTORY/Elizabeth-Becker-Pinkston-wins-second-diving-Olympic-gold.html.

Historical Eras

World Wars and the Great Depression (1914-1945) Postwar America (1945-1980) Recent U.S. History (1981-present)

Photo Credit

Becker-Pinkston, Elizabeth, ca. 1928. Photograph. Cropped to 4x3, Filled background. Olympic Games Winners. https://www.olympicgameswinners.com/images/photos/B/Becker-Pinkston_Elizabeth_9764.jpg.