She Ignored the Haters to Be an Ice Skater : Mabel Fairbanks Part 1

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Hey Hollywood Forever Taphophiles! We're back, and Miss Marissa Rivera is back too!  Thanks so much for giving us the space for some summer fun vacationing. We couldn't wait until Thursday to share this one with you, so here ya go! Let's get into it- 

 Just picture it: It's 1923. A little child sleeps on rooftops, stoops, and eventually a bench in Central Park with nothing but newspaper for warmth and grows up to become one of the most important names in figure skating most people have never heard. We’re telling the beginning of Mabel Fairbanks’ story, and it’s equal parts heartbreaking, infuriating, and weirdly joyful, because Mabel’s love for the ice never stops pulling her forward.

Turns out that the 1920's was a HORRIBLE and very scary time to be a child, especially a black child. Mabel faces racist exclusion at rinks, gets denied opportunities that white skaters take for granted, and still keeps showing up until coaches can’t ignore her. 

Subscribe so you don’t miss part two, and if this story moves you, share the episode and leave a review so more listeners can learn Mabel Fairbanks’ name.

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