Google Doodle honors the legacy of Kitty O’Neil, a remarkable woman who defied the odds and made history. On her 77th birthday, the world remembers O’Neil, an American stuntwoman and racer who held numerous racing records, despite being deaf since childhood.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on March 24, 1946, Kitty O’Neil was diagnosed as deaf at just five months old. However, this did not stop her from pursuing her passion for racing and performing stunts. O’Neil began her career as a stuntwoman in the late 1960s, working on TV shows and movies such as “Wonder Woman,” “The Bionic Woman,” and “The Blues Brothers.”
O’Neil’s talent and fearless attitude soon caught the attention of the racing world, and she became known as “the fastest woman in the world.” In 1976, she set a land-speed record for female drivers by reaching an average speed of 512.710 miles per hour, breaking the previous record of 308 miles per hour.
Kitty O’Neil performed stunts in over 30 films and TV Shows
But Kitty O’Neil‘s achievements did not stop there. She also broke records in boat racing and became the first woman to drive a rocket-powered vehicle. Her impressive resume includes performing stunts in over 30 films and TV shows, including “Smokey and the Bandit II” and “Airport ’77.”
Kitty O’Neil’s incredible life story inspired many and proved that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and passion. Even with her hearing impairment, she managed to excel in a male-dominated industry and leave her mark in history.
Google’s tribute to Kitty O’Neil with its Doodle is a testament to her remarkable legacy and serves as a reminder to always strive for excellence and pursue our dreams, no matter the challenges we face.
Here are some inspiring quotes about Kitty O’Neil
“Kitty O’Neil proved that nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams if you truly believe in yourself and your abilities.” – Unknown
“Her deafness never held her back. In fact, it made her even more determined to prove that she could do anything anyone else could do, and do it better.” – Terry Sandvold, friend and former manager of O’Neil
“Kitty was an amazing person, not just because of her extraordinary achievements but also because of her positive attitude and indomitable spirit.” – Hal Needham, film director and friend of O’Neil
“She was fearless, she was dedicated, and she was a true inspiration to anyone who ever dreamed of pushing themselves to their limits.” – Unknown
“Kitty O’Neil was a trailblazer in every sense of the word. She shattered barriers and proved that there are no limits to what a person can achieve if they have the courage and determination to pursue their dreams.” – Unknown
