Mabel Fairbanks – Ice Skater
By
John C Abercrombie
MABEL FAIRBANKS!
Mabel Fairbanks was born in the Florida Everglades on November 14, 1914. Her father was Black, and her mother was Seminole and English. She was orphaned at the age of 8 when her mother died, she was taken in by a teacher who Mabel said treated her like a “maid”. She then moved to Harlem, New York and lived with a brother and his wife. They owned a fish market and she worked there until she took sympathy and was giving a poor family more fish than they were able to pay for.
Mabel said she did not know how many brothers and sisters she had because her mother would take in everybody and feed them off the street, giving them a place to stay and something to eat. Her sister told her there were 14 kids.
After being kicked out of the house for the indiscretion of giving away fish, she was seen sleeping in Central Park by a wealthy woman who offered her a job babysitting at her home overlooking Central Park. From t the home, Mabel Fairbanks could see children in the Central Park ice rink enjoying themselves and the freedom of skating.
In the 1920’s she bought a pair of used skats for $1.00. They were 2 sizes too large, so she stuffed them with cotton and began skating at the rink. We find that Blacks did not skate there, and this is the result of de facto segregation. It was practiced not because of law but because of practice. She persisted in her dream of skating and found inspiration from seeing the Norwegian skater Sonja Henie in the film “One in a Million” 1936.
There was racism in the North, but it was often de facto (practice) rather than de jure (law). In the 1930’s Mabel Fairbanks was denied access to the local ice rink, but she was persistent and kept returning until the manager admitted her, allowing her in shortly before closing for the day.
Her persistence and ability paid off and she attracted the attention of Maribel Vinson Owen and Howard Nicholson who provided her with technical advice. Maribel Vinson Owen was a skater and coach she won the bronze Olympic medal in 1932 and was a 2 time World medalist.
Howard Nicholson was a professional figure skater best known for his students including Dorothy Hamill and Scott Ethan Allen as well as Barbara Ann Scott of Canada and Carlo Fassi of Italy.
Here we see 2 of the best coaches recognized the talent of Fairbanks, however the racial climate of the United States prevented her from reaching the pinnacle of success. In order to participate in competitions, it was necessary to be a member of a club, but these clubs had discriminatory practices that prevented Blacks from joining.
R6ecognized as one of the worlds greatest skaters, she was not booked to perform because of the color of her skin, so she performed in shows in New York until the mid-1940’s practicing in a 6’ by 6’ rink built by her uncle. She then moved to Los Angeles and toured with the toured internationally with the Ice Capades in Mexico and later the Ice Follies. Despite her fame when she returned to the United States, she was greeted with signs at the Pasadena Winter Gardens Colored Trade Not Solicited”
In California she gained fame and respect becoming the coach of the children of Hollywood’ elite – Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson’s son Ricky and Otto Preminger but her desire to become the coach of competitive skaters took over. She became the coach of all races but maintained a focus on helping Black figure skaters.
Mabel Fairbanks coached both singles and pairs. Some of the people she coached included:
- Tiffany Chin
- Billy Chapel
- Scott Hamilton
- Kristi Yamaguchi
- Rudy Galindo
- Tai Babilonia
- Randy Gardner
- Leslie Robinson
- Michelle McCladdie
- Richard Ewell
- Debi Thomas – Debra Janine Thomas is a Black figure skater and physician. 1986 World Champion, Bronze medalist in the 1988 Olympics and 2 time United States national champion.
- Atoy Wilson – Represented the Los Angeles Skating, first Black skater to compete in the US Figure Skating Championships
- Jean Yana
Mabel Fairbanks was the first Black inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame. She was also inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
As you scroll down through the books and videos, you will encounter some value offers. These take you directly to Amazon where you can do all your shopping. We encourage you to use our links as we receive a small royalty without cost to you. These funds help us continue to provide you with quality information.
To see the full list of posts on th site click here. Blog list
For Black History Month 2020, we posted daily. To see the posts, click here
For Black History Month 2021, we posted daily. To see the posts Click here.
For Black History Month 2022 we posted daily with the theme “Health and Wellness.” To see those posts, click here
To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us
This post is part of a 31 part series devoted to Black women we should all know. To see these posts, click here.
We encourage you to share the site on social media.
Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience.
Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items
**
First episode of the series!
I am so excited to be talking about, Mabel Fairbanks. Tai Babilonia, still shares wonderful stories and pictures of Mabel on her Instagram @tai_babilonia. Thank you for watching. Stay tuned for more.
**
Try Audible Plus
There is so much information and entertainment available in all genre using this amazing service! Audible Plus, a brand new all-you-can-listen membership that offers access to thousands of titles, including a vast array of audiobooks, podcasts and originals that span genres, lengths, and formats.
**
Ice Breaker:
How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating (She Made History) In the 1930s, only white figure skaters were allowed in public ice rinks and to compete for gold medals, but Mabel Fairbanks wouldn’t let that stop her. With skates two sizes too big and a heart full of dreams, Mabel beat the odds and broke down color barriers through sheer determination and athletic skill. Mabel became the first African-American woman to be inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
ABH – Ice Breaker Mabel Fairbanks
**
Biographies and Memoirs
So many people, so many stories and they can be found here using our Amazon affiliate link
**
Mabel Fairbanks and Breaking the Color Barrier in Figure Skating
A glimpse of Mabel Fairbanks, an African-American skater in the early days of ice skating in the U.S. and other skaters like Atoy Wilson, Tai Babilonia, Debbie Thomas, Tiffany Chin, Kristi Yamaguchi and Rudy Galindo. Shown during the 2003 U.S. Nationals with Terry Gannon and Donna DeVarona.
**
Sports and Fitness
Explore sports and the essential fitness need for enjoyment and success using our Amazon affiliate link
**
Debi Thomas What Really Happened
UNAUTHORIZED, Debi Thomas What Really Happened, is an amazing tale of behind the scenes interviews that were conducted by journalist, writer, & award-winning writer, Carol Denise Mitchell. During two-years of phone interviews with Debi Thomas and Debi’s fiancé Jamie Looney, Mitchell got to know the superstar well enough to uncover secrets that Debi Thomas had yet to divulge to the general public. Mitchell uncovers the truth about Debi’s big losses in the 1988 Olympics up to how her medical career ended up failing. The author is stunned to learn that Debi Thomas felt she was not meant to win the gold in the 1988 Olympics. Moreover, Mitchell uncovers extensive research on why Debi, who openly dared to “Question Authority” seemingly at her peril, incurred many of her losses and how, and the author is unwilling to hold anything back. Readers will be appalled at how extensively Debi Thomas suffered Domestic Violence; and how she was willing to let it all out to the author. Mitchell introduces surprising information about the skating star, while she ensures that it is Debi telling her own story! This earthshattering book will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Readers will be happy to hear Debi telling her own story throughout this fantastic writing effort. Carol Denise Mitchell is sensitive and authentic on the topic of what happened to her friend, Olympic champion, Debra Janine Thomas. Her goal is for readers to walk away from the book feeling that it was Debi telling her own story. In a shocking scene when Debi’s fiancé, Jamie Looney puts a gun to Debi’s head, Mitchell is mindful of Debi’s potential state-of-mind in not being able to tell her own story. Mitchell wants the name, Debra Janine Thomas to be inducted into the archives of great fame. Debi Thomas should be proud of this great writing effort. The book will do the superstar, no harm!
**
Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor activity is possible all year long, explore the possibilities here using our Amazon affiliate link
**
Mabel Fairbanks Black Figure Skater
.
**
Gift Cards
Great for all occasions and in varying amounts, using our Amazon link
**
Video
Cool Runnings
**
Vitamins and Dietary Supplements
Your source for the needs of your body are here using our affiliate link below
ABH – Vitamins and Dietary Supplements
**
Hollywood Forever Tour Talk Episode 6:
Fairbanks Mabel and Mary Nolan Hollywood Forever Tour guide Karie Bible talks about the remarkable achievements of Mabel Fairbanks who was the first African-American inducted into the Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Tragic silent film actress Mary Nolan is also discussed along with book recommendations.
**
Sports Nutrition
Get them here. Keep your body in tip top condition using the Amazon affiliate link below
**
WHY BLACK AND BROWN KIDS DON’T ICE SKATE:
A discourse on the disparities of race in figure skating. Joel Savary is the founder of Diversify Ice Foundation, a non-profit aimed to diversify the sport of figure skating by cultivating skaters of color. In his new book, “Why Black and Brown Kids Don’t Ice Skate,” Joel outlines many of the issues plaguing the sport and provides strategies for infusing diversity to reinvigorate the sport overall. NOTE: This is an initial release of the book. The final version is forthcoming. If you have downloaded the kindle format, the updates will automatically update when the final version is available. Learn More at www.JoelSavary.com
ABH – Why Black and Brown Kids Dont Ice skate
**
Vision Care
For all types the place to shop is here using the Amazon affiliate link
**
Figure Skating in Harlem’s 2019 Ice Show ‘She Rises’. Episode 15, June 28, 2020
If the stream cuts out for more than 3 minutes, go to http://youtube.com/oniceperspectives and see if there is a new livestream there. Apologies for my currently flaky internet connection!*** Join us as we watch the replay of Figure Skating in Harlem’s 2019 Ice Show, ‘She Rises: A Skating Tribute to Great Women Who Changed the World’. We’ll be joined with live commentary by some of FSH’s coaches and directors.
**
This post shows some of the difficulty faced by Mabel Fairbanks as she relentlessly pursued her passion. There are many examples of such determination that have opened the doors to so many. We see the use of clubs that discriminate to perpetuate the practices. It is not limited to sports as we have seen housing segregated by the use of exclusive but unconstitutional clauses. Racial discrimination is deeply engrained because it comes from so many seemingly innocent practices that are only an illusion. A fight that would have been unnecessary if full citizenship had been granted to all. It has been a long time coming, but we can make it possible if we work for it.