Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, a community service sorority established by a group of African American educators in 1922, has honored USA Swimming for its successful partnership in reducing drowning deaths among African Americans. The sorority presented USA Swimming president & CEO Tim Hinchey with the Community Service Partnership Award at a reception in Washington, DC. U.S. Olympians Maritza McClendon and Cullen Jones also spoke at the event.
The two organizations entered into a partnership called Swim 1922 five years ago with the goal of promoting swimming and water safety to African American communities. Swim 1922 hosts swim clinics and water safety training led by McClendon, who is a Sigma Gamma Rho member and the first African American to break a U.S. swimming record. Jones assists McClendon in training efforts.
“USA Swimming has distinguished itself as a remarkable leader and advocate for water safety in communities of color,” said Deborah Catchings-Smith, Sigma Gamma Rho president. She continues, “Their outstanding contributions and continuing commitment to elevating awareness and understanding of water safety has helped reduce the staggering number of drownings that occur in our communities.”
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USA Swimming Foundation Reports Increase in Swimming Ability in U.S. Children by 5 to 10%
Excitement over the increase is tempered by findings that show how much work is left to normalize swimming abilities.
The partnership began after a study commissioned by the USA Swimming Foundation found 70% of African American children have low or now swimming ability compared with 40% of Caucasians.
