Andrea Mead Lawrence
Andrea Mead Lawrence (1932–2009) was an American alpine skier who became a trailblazing figure in the sport and one of…
Andrea Mead Lawrence (1932–2009) was an American alpine skier who became a trailblazing figure in the sport and one of the greatest female skiers of her time. She is best known for winning two gold medals at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway, making her the first American skier to win two Olympic gold medals in a single Games. Beyond her skiing career, she became an influential environmental activist, dedicating her life to the preservation of the Sierra Nevada region in California.
Early Life and Skiing Background
Born: April 19, 1932, in Rutland County, Vermont.
Andrea Mead grew up in a family that had deep ties to skiing. Her parents, Bradford and Janet Mead, owned Pico Peak, a ski resort in Vermont. Surrounded by the skiing community from an early age, Mead Lawrence learned to ski almost as soon as she could walk and began training seriously as a child.
Competitive Skiing: Mead Lawrence’s talent was recognized early, and she competed in her first national skiing events at the age of 14. She was soon selected for the U.S. Olympic Ski Team, making her Olympic debut at just 15 years old in the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland, where she finished eighth in the slalom.
Olympic Success: 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo
Andrea Mead Lawrence’s most significant achievement came at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway, where she won two gold medals in alpine skiing. Her victories were historic and placed her among the world’s best athletes.
Gold in the Giant Slalom:
On February 14, 1952, Mead Lawrence won the gold medal in the giant slalom, which was making its Olympic debut that year. She skied the challenging course with remarkable speed and precision, becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in alpine skiing.
Gold in the Slalom:
Just a few days later, on February 20, 1952, Mead Lawrence won her second gold medal in the slalom. This victory was especially notable because she had fallen during her first run, but managed to recover and ski an outstanding second run to clinch the gold.
These two gold medals made Mead Lawrence the first American skier, male or female, to win two gold medals at a single Winter Olympics. She was only 19 years old at the time and quickly became a national sports hero in the United States.
Post-Olympic Career and Later Competitions
Following her Olympic triumph in 1952, Andrea Mead Lawrence continued to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
1956 Winter Olympics: Mead Lawrence participated in the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, but she did not medal. By this time, she had become a mother, balancing her skiing career with family responsibilities.
Throughout the 1950s, Mead Lawrence competed in various international skiing competitions, winning numerous national titles and further establishing herself as a dominant figure in alpine skiing.
Retirement: After retiring from competitive skiing in the late 1950s, Mead Lawrence remained involved in the skiing community as a coach and advocate for the sport.
Environmental Activism:
In the years following her retirement from skiing, Andrea Mead Lawrence shifted her focus toward environmental activism, particularly in the Sierra Nevada region of California, where she lived for much of her life.
Preservation of the Sierra Nevada:
Lawrence became a passionate advocate for the preservation of the Sierra Nevada’s natural environment, fighting to protect the region’s ecosystems from overdevelopment, pollution, and environmental degradation. She was involved in numerous local and national environmental organizations and initiatives.
In 1974, she was elected to the Mono County Board of Supervisors, where she served three terms and worked on policies related to land use, conservation, and sustainable development. She was also instrumental in the creation of the Mono Basin National Scenic Area in the 1980s, which helped preserve Mono Lake and its surrounding environment.
Andrea Lawrence Institute for Mountains and Rivers:
In 2003, she founded the Andrea Lawrence Institute for Mountains and Rivers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental conservation and education in the Sierra Nevada region. The institute continues to promote Lawrence’s vision of protecting the natural environment through sustainable practices and community engagement.
Legacy and Honors
Andrea Mead Lawrence’s contributions to skiing and environmental activism earned her numerous awards and recognition throughout her life.
U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame: Mead Lawrence was inducted into the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame in 1958, recognizing her as one of the greatest American skiers of all time.
Olympic Hall of Fame: She was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983, honoring her historic achievements at the 1952 Winter Olympics.
Environmental Awards: In recognition of her work in environmental conservation, Lawrence received several prestigious environmental awards, including the Sierra Club’s John Muir Award in 2004.
Memorial Designation: In 2013, a mountain peak in the Sierra Nevada was renamed Mt. Andrea Lawrence to honor her legacy as both an athlete and an environmental advocate.
Death:
Andrea Mead Lawrence passed away on March 31, 2009, at the age of 76, after a long battle with cancer. Her death was widely mourned, particularly within the skiing and environmental communities, where her contributions had a lasting impact.
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- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Lawrence, Andrea and Burnaby, Sara (Author)
- Fry, John (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 380 Pages - 03/09/2010 (Publication Date) - University Press of New England (Publisher)
- Size: 30cm X 20cm
- Material: Tin, Metal.
- The four corners have pre-drilled holes, which can be installed at any time and can be installed on any surface.
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