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Walasiewicz, Stella
Athlete. Olympic star. Born in 1911 in Poland. In 1936 Olympic Spring [sprint ?] Champion. Won over 500 prizes. Established more than 300 records in running in different countries, for 50, 70, 100, 220 yards and 60, 70, 100, 200, 250 and 1000 meter. In 1939 she made 70-yard dash in 8 seconds flat. In 1942 recaptured her 200 meter title. Educated in the primary and secondary schools of America. Received a scholarship and attended for four years Physical Education Institute of Warsaw. Resides in Cleveland, Ohio.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

Walsh, (Walasiewicz) Stella - One of the world's greatest woman athletes, held 61 World and National track and field records for 35 years. The 1932 Olympic Gold Medal winner died on December 4, 1980, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Inducted into the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1974)

From: National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame

Walsh (born in Wierzchowina, Poland as Stefania Walasiewicz in 1911) was a professional athlete who moved to Cleveland, OH as an infant in 1912. She excelled in track and field, winning a gold medal in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics as well as a silver medal in 1936 in Berlin. She earned thousands of awards and honors over several decades of her athletic career, including induction into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. She was heavily involved with the Cleveland Polish Falcons and was awarded the Silver Cross of Merit in 1980. In December of that year, at the age of 69 she was shot and killed during a robbery while shopping at a Cleveland convenience store.