Blog posts by Suzanne Lipkin

Twin Track Stars Break Barriers

Suzanne Lipkin

[Photograph of the DeSaussure sisters], ca. 1940; Mary DeSaussure Sobers collection, 2005.053; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Mary DeSaussure Sobers made history by accident. One morning in late August, 1945, she and her twin sister Martha were sent to buy groceries and were distracted by a bus bringing kids to the nearby 13th Regiment Armory. The sisters peeked inside and were told that there was a track meet being held—and did they want to run? Martha was too overwhelmed to say yes, but Mary agreed, and convinced the…