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Victoria Manalo Draves was a Filipina American competitive diver and Olympic gold medalist, who was the first American woman to win two gold medals in diving, and the first Asian American to win Olympic gold medals. Draves grew up in SOMA where she and her twin sister attended the nearby Franklin School (Now Bessie Carmichael). Draves overcame racism in both her personal life and diving career to reach her athletic pinnacle in the 1948 Olympics held in London. She won gold medals in springboard and platform diving at these games with her outstanding performance, which is depicted in this video.

She is remembered today as both an AAPI and female pioneer and hero. Learn more about Draves by visiting her honorary plaque located on site.


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