Gertrude Caroline Ederle (October 23, 1905 -- November 30, 2003) was an American competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record - holder in five events. On 6 August 1926, she became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Among other nicknames, the press sometimes called her "Queen of the Waves. ''
first american woman to swim the english channel
Gertrude Caroline Ederle