When I checked on Yahoo this morning to get the low-down on the news I saw the headline “First Woman to Swim English Channel Dies“. The first thing I said was Gertrude!
I remember reading her story when I was in elementary school and being fascinated by it–she put grease on her skin to help combat the sea water–that’s so cool! She also swam faster than some of the men who had made the crossing-whoohoo. I thought she was as interesting as Annie Oakley–and Annie Oakley was pretty awesome.
So long Gertrude and thanks.
She was cool.