One of USA’s most decorated track stars in the 1950s was Isabelle Frances Daniels. Born in the tiny town of Jakin in southwest Georgia, “Tweety” – a nickname that stuck as a young girl – grew up in a deeply segregated region attending all-Black schools where opportunities were few and far between. As a senior at Carver High School, she won the Georgia State Championships in both the 50-yard and 100-yard dash, earning recognition nationwide and recruitment to Tennessee State – then the most prestigious college women’s track program in the country. Competing for USA Track & Field at the 1955 Pan American Games in Mexico City, Daniels took second place in the 60 Meters and was part of the gold-medal winning 4×100 Meter relay team.

At the 1956 U.S. Olympic Trials, Daniels won the 100-meter dash to earn the coveted title of fastest woman in America, beating a talented field that included future three-time Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph. At the 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, she initially placed third in a tight finish in the 100 Meters, but post-race photos pushed her to fourth and just off the podium. Later at those Games, Daniels anchored USA's 4×100-meter relay team to a 3rd place finish and the bronze medal in an American record-breaking time of 44.9 seconds. Amazingly, all three teams (Australia, Great Britain and USA) shattered the previous world record. For Daniels and her teammates Mae Faggs, Margaret Matthews and Wilma Rudolph, it was a powerful moment for women’s sports and Black History as they became the first all African-American ladies' relay team to ever compete at the Olympics.

Isabelle continued to excel after the 1956 Olympics, earning All-American honors in each of her four years at Tennessee State under famous coach Ed Temple (who also coached the Olympic team). In 1957, she set a world record in the 50-yard dash. At the 1959 Pan Am Games in Chicago, she won gold in the 60 Meters, silver in the 200, and another gold medal in the 4×100-meter relay (again teaming with Rudolph). Overall, Isabelle Daniels won five AAU sprint titles outdoors and seven AAU titles indoors. Injuries prevented her from competing at the 1960 Rome Olympics where Rudolph swept gold in the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay.

Presented here is a group of seven (7) United States Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) first-place winner gold medals awarded to Isabelle Daniels. There are four 1st place medals from 1958: 50 Yard Dash, 220 Yard Run, 440 Yard Relay, and 440 Yard Medley Relay. The other three from 1959 are: 60 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Run, and 400 Meter Relay. Each 1st place medal is made of a gold-plated alloy metal, measuring 45 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick and ranging in weight from 38 to 44 grams. The same design front and back is used for each medal, with a loop at the top linked to a red, white and blue ribbon attached to a pinbacked metal banner reading "Championship". The only difference is the year, event, and place inscribed on the reverse of each medal. All seven medals are very well-preserved in NM-MT condition with blue velvet presentation cases and come directly from the Daniels family with a letter of provenance.