CKTH connects with Ms. Gwen Berry: Mother, Athlete and Activist.
Hailing from East Saint Louis and an alumnus of the University of Southern Illinois, Gwen is one of the Track & Field's elite Hammer throwers. Her mark of 77.78 m (255 ft 2 in) on June 8, 2018, ranks her #5 on the all time list. She also holds the world record in the weight throw with a mark of 25.60 m (83 ft 113/4 in) set in March 2017. She is a three-time national champion in the weight throw at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
In addition to being someone with unmistakable individual style, Gwen is also renowned for being a force outside of the athletic arena. From her New York Times coverage to her appearance on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, Gwen’s steadfast resolve in being a leader for social reform and racial equality is just as — if not more inspiring — than her quest for a gold medal at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.