Black Mail Micro-Lesson
Trailblazers In The Ring: The Wingo Sisters & Wrestling History
Black Mail Blog | Micro-Lesson
Welcome!! Step Into The Story | A Black Mail Micro-Lesson Explore the groundbreaking impact of the Wingo Sisters, pioneering athletes whose strength and skill challenged segregation, reshaped women’s wrestling, and carved a lasting legacy in Black athletic history.
Start
Learning Goals
By the end of this micro-lesson, learners will:
- Understand the Wingo Sisters’ impact on women’s professional wrestling.
- Identify the major obstacles they faced and the accomplishments they achieved.
An interactive quiz about the lives and legacy of the Wingo Sisters in wrestling
Introduction
Long before women’s wrestling gained mainstream attention, the Wingo sisters, Babs Wingo (1937-2003), Ethel Johnson (1935-2013), and Marva Scott (1937-2003), brought high-flying athleticism to audiences while facing Jim Crow racism and even violence from fans. Jim Crow refers to the system of laws that enforced racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. Despite the dangers and discrimination they faced, the Wingo Sisters continued to compete and opened doors for future generations.
An interactive quiz about the lives and legacy of the Wingo Sisters in wrestling
The Wingo Sisters
Unsung Trailblazers Of Women's Wrestling
Born in Decatur, Georgia, to Gladys Chase and Clifford Wingo, the family moved north to Columbus, Ohio, to escape the Jim Crow South while the girls were still very young. Babs, Ethel, and Marva were teenagers when they began wrestling, yet they filled arenas, broke barriers, and endured challenges most could hardly imagine.
Next
Rising To Fame While Facing Racism & Segregation
They captivated crowds with athleticism, innovation, and groundbreaking tag team bouts. The Wingo sisters are most often credited with innovating the standing dropkick and a high-flying head scissors move, which were trailblazing, especially for women’s wrestling in the 1950s and 60s.
Next
Playing The Villain
The Wingo Sisters often worked as heels, meaning they played the “villain” role in the ring. Their job was to break the rules, taunt the crowd, and stir up as much emotion as possible, so fans would passionately cheer for the “good guy.” In the 1950s through the 1970s, many fans took wrestling very seriously and didn’t separate the performance from real life, and when you layered that on top of racism, sexism, and poor security, things could turn dangerous very quickly.
Next
Racism In, & Beyond The Ring
As athletes and performers in segregated America, they were often refused accommodations and forced to eat and drink in areas separate from white people, and many times not in good condition. At one show in Missouri, when Black fans were refused entry, the sisters packed up and left in solidarity rather than perform for a divided audience. The Wingo Sisters worked in a racist system where black women’s divisions and titles existed separately from white talent, limiting where and how they could work. Hostility and threats were common: a police officer once pulled a gun on Babs, and with them being "heels" they faced frequent verbal and physical attacks from fans.
Next
Dangerous Conditions & Threats Of Violence
In places like Mexico and Japan, the sisters faced violent crowds and even threats connected to organized crime. Babs was injured when a fan attacked her with glass, and Marva was reportedly threatened with being thrown out of a skyscraper if she didn't agree to lose a match. Their safety was often at risk, not just because they were heels, but because they were Black women performing in hostile and frequently racist environments. Despite the danger and threats, they persevered.
Next
Legacy Of The Wingo Sisters
By the time women’s wrestling moved into the spotlight in the 1980s and 1990s, with stars like Wendi Richter, Jacqueline Moore, and Jazz, the Wingo sisters had already paved the way. Today, their legacy lives on in performers like Naomi and Sasha Banks, who carry forward the path they cleared decades ago. To honor their achievements, the Wingo Sisters were posthumously inducted into the Women's Wrestling Hall Of Fame.
Next
Test Your Knowledge!!
Start
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Thank you for taking the quiz! Check out this short video to learn more!
Next
All Done!
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Trailblazers In The Ring: The Wingo Sisters & Wrestling History
Enid Gaddis
Created on November 29, 2025
The Wingo Sisters were African American women who were trailblazers in the field of women's wrestling. Lets learn about how they broke barrriers, overcame obstacles and paved the way those who would follow.
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Transcript
Black Mail Micro-Lesson
Trailblazers In The Ring: The Wingo Sisters & Wrestling History
Black Mail Blog | Micro-Lesson
Welcome!! Step Into The Story | A Black Mail Micro-Lesson Explore the groundbreaking impact of the Wingo Sisters, pioneering athletes whose strength and skill challenged segregation, reshaped women’s wrestling, and carved a lasting legacy in Black athletic history.
Start
Learning Goals
By the end of this micro-lesson, learners will:
An interactive quiz about the lives and legacy of the Wingo Sisters in wrestling
Introduction
Long before women’s wrestling gained mainstream attention, the Wingo sisters, Babs Wingo (1937-2003), Ethel Johnson (1935-2013), and Marva Scott (1937-2003), brought high-flying athleticism to audiences while facing Jim Crow racism and even violence from fans. Jim Crow refers to the system of laws that enforced racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. Despite the dangers and discrimination they faced, the Wingo Sisters continued to compete and opened doors for future generations.
An interactive quiz about the lives and legacy of the Wingo Sisters in wrestling
The Wingo Sisters
Unsung Trailblazers Of Women's Wrestling
Born in Decatur, Georgia, to Gladys Chase and Clifford Wingo, the family moved north to Columbus, Ohio, to escape the Jim Crow South while the girls were still very young. Babs, Ethel, and Marva were teenagers when they began wrestling, yet they filled arenas, broke barriers, and endured challenges most could hardly imagine.
Next
Rising To Fame While Facing Racism & Segregation
They captivated crowds with athleticism, innovation, and groundbreaking tag team bouts. The Wingo sisters are most often credited with innovating the standing dropkick and a high-flying head scissors move, which were trailblazing, especially for women’s wrestling in the 1950s and 60s.
Next
Playing The Villain
The Wingo Sisters often worked as heels, meaning they played the “villain” role in the ring. Their job was to break the rules, taunt the crowd, and stir up as much emotion as possible, so fans would passionately cheer for the “good guy.” In the 1950s through the 1970s, many fans took wrestling very seriously and didn’t separate the performance from real life, and when you layered that on top of racism, sexism, and poor security, things could turn dangerous very quickly.
Next
Racism In, & Beyond The Ring
As athletes and performers in segregated America, they were often refused accommodations and forced to eat and drink in areas separate from white people, and many times not in good condition. At one show in Missouri, when Black fans were refused entry, the sisters packed up and left in solidarity rather than perform for a divided audience. The Wingo Sisters worked in a racist system where black women’s divisions and titles existed separately from white talent, limiting where and how they could work. Hostility and threats were common: a police officer once pulled a gun on Babs, and with them being "heels" they faced frequent verbal and physical attacks from fans.
Next
Dangerous Conditions & Threats Of Violence
In places like Mexico and Japan, the sisters faced violent crowds and even threats connected to organized crime. Babs was injured when a fan attacked her with glass, and Marva was reportedly threatened with being thrown out of a skyscraper if she didn't agree to lose a match. Their safety was often at risk, not just because they were heels, but because they were Black women performing in hostile and frequently racist environments. Despite the danger and threats, they persevered.
Next
Legacy Of The Wingo Sisters
By the time women’s wrestling moved into the spotlight in the 1980s and 1990s, with stars like Wendi Richter, Jacqueline Moore, and Jazz, the Wingo sisters had already paved the way. Today, their legacy lives on in performers like Naomi and Sasha Banks, who carry forward the path they cleared decades ago. To honor their achievements, the Wingo Sisters were posthumously inducted into the Women's Wrestling Hall Of Fame.
Next
Test Your Knowledge!!
Start
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Thank you for taking the quiz! Check out this short video to learn more!
Next
All Done!
Home
Follow Black Mail online: