today in Black history - feb 8

Debi Thomas Won U.S. National Figure Skating Championship on February 8, 1986

On February 8, 1986, Debi Thomas became the first African American to win the Women’s Singles title at the U.S. National Figure Skating Championship. She did this while simultaneously being a pre-med student at Stanford University, seemingly seamlessly balancing calculus with triple salchows. Thomas later became an Olympic medalist in 1988.

In addition to her skating achievements, Debi Thomas went on to medical school, graduating in 1997. She is now an orthopedic surgeon.