Kitty O’Neil, The Original ‘Fastest Woman Alive,’ Honored In Google Doodle

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Kitty O’Neil, the Original ‘Fastest Woman Alive,’ Honored in Google Doodle

On March 23, 2021, Google honored Kitty O’Neil, the original ‘Fastest Woman Alive,’ with a Google Doodle. O’Neil was a stuntwoman, racer, and daredevil who broke numerous speed records and paved the way for women in male-dominated industries.

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1946, O’Neil was deaf from the age of five months due to a high fever. Despite this, she never let her disability hold her back and pursued her dreams with determination and grit.

O’Neil began her career as a stuntwoman in the late 1960s and quickly gained a reputation for her fearlessness and skill. She performed stunts in over 30 films and TV shows, including “The Bionic Woman,” “Wonder Woman,” and “Smokey and the Bandit II.”

In addition to her work in Hollywood, O’Neil was also an accomplished racer. She set numerous land speed records in the 1970s, including the women’s land speed record of 512 mph in a rocket-powered car. She also set a record for the fastest quarter-mile drag racing time by a woman, clocking in at 3.22 seconds at 396 mph.

O’Neil’s achievements were all the more impressive given the barriers she faced as a woman in male-dominated industries. She often had to fight for equal treatment and opportunities, but she never gave up.

In addition to her career accomplishments, O’Neil was also a role model and inspiration to many. She used her platform to advocate for people with disabilities and worked with organizations like the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Special Olympics.

Sadly, O’Neil passed away in 2018 at the age of 72. However, her legacy lives on as a trailblazer for women in the entertainment and racing industries.

The Google Doodle honoring O’Neil features an illustration of her in a racing suit, standing next to a rocket-powered car. The design also includes a sign language interpreter, a nod to O’Neil’s deafness and her advocacy for people with disabilities.

In conclusion, Kitty O’Neil was a true pioneer and trailblazer who broke barriers and shattered stereotypes. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to all those who face obstacles in pursuing their dreams. The Google Doodle honoring her is a fitting tribute to a remarkable woman who made history and changed the world.