Who was the first African American to win an individual Olympic medal in women's gymnastics?

In 1996, Dominique Dawes won Olympic gold with the U.S. women's gymnastics team as well as an individual bronze medal—becoming the first African American to win an individual Olympic medal in women's gymnastics. In 1988, she also became the first African American to make the national women's team. In the 1994 National Championships, Dawes won all - around gold, as well as vault, floor exercise, uneven bars and balance beam becoming the first gymnast to do so since 1969. Dawes entered the U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2005.

Her achievements were a breakthrough not only for a lot of women of color, but also for all the black people. Dawes joined a lot of people of the 20th century who actively called for equal rights and personal involvement. She is still considered a recognized and respected sportsman of modern times.