Miss Gertrude Ederle receives a silver loving cup from Joseph T. Sharkey

Gertrude Ederle B/W Photograph 11-08-1951. First Woman swam channel 25 years ago Gertrude Ederle, who on August 6th 1926 became the first woman to swim the English Channel, receives a silver Loving cup from Joseph T. Sharkey, acting city council president, during her visit to city hall, New York on August 6th, the 25th anniversary of her headline making feat. Now 44, Miss Ederle, who lives at 132-37 41st Road, Flushing, Queens, continues swimming in pools during winter and various beaches in summer. She still has a lot of respect for “that old body of water.” Nap/Str A1 1278 10851Hdw Associated Press Photo from London

Gertrude was the first woman to swim the English Channel, on the 6th of August 1926 in a new record time of 14hrs.39mins. she was the first person to swim front crawl. She had one unsuccessful swim in 1925 on August 18th. She swam for 8 hours 50mins She was trained by Jabez Wolffe. and swam Breast stroke on her first swim. On her successful swim she wore a two piece costume.  and used an eight leg beat crawl.She was one of six children. She held world records for 300yds. 500yds, 880yds, 400m.440m, 500m. She played herself in the film Swim girl Swim.