Charlotte Epstein

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Charlotte "Eppie" Epstein (born September 1884 in New York City , † 1938 ) is known as the "mother of women swimming in America". She founded the Women's Swimming Association (WSA) and coached the women's Olympic swimming team in 1920, 1924 and 1928.

Epstein was born in New York City in 1884 and was working as a stenographer when she and her staff decided in 1917 that swimming was a good way to get some exercise.

In 1920 she founded the Women's Swimming Association (WSA) and became known for promoting the health benefits of swimming exercises at a time when women's sport was still largely unknown and sport was perceived as not beneficial for the well-being of women.

Epstein trained American female swimmers in the 1920s and led many of them to Olympic victories. The swimmers she mentors - called "Eppie's Swimmers" - won 30 championships and set 52 world records.

Gertrude Ederle also learned to swim in her women's swimming club. Ederle was the first woman to swim the English Channel (1926), breaking the men's best by more than 2 hours.

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personal data
SURNAME Epstein, Charlotte
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Epstein, Eppie (nickname)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American swim coach
DATE OF BIRTH September 1884
PLACE OF BIRTH New York City
DATE OF DEATH 1938