Kristi Yamaguchi
Olympic Gold Medalist, Author, and Literacy Activist
“Being the first Asian American athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics provided me with a visible platform to have this amazing opportunity to make a difference and inspire others to reach for their dreams. Through my Always Dream Foundation, I hope to build a love of reading in children at an early age, allowing them to succeed both in the classroom and ultimately in life.”
Biography
Yamaguchi captured the gold medal in figure skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. She is also a world champion and two-time U.S. National Champion. She is a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Following a long and successful career in professional figure skating, Yamaguchi took to the dance floor to win top honors with partner Mark Ballas on the popular TV show Dancing With The Stars.
In 1996, she founded the Always Dream Foundation, whose mission is to inspire underserved children to reach for their dreams through innovative reading programs and by advancing the cause of early childhood literacy. Yamaguchi has added New York Times best-selling author to her list of achievements, with three children’s picture books: Dream Big, Little Pig!; It’s A Big World, Little Pig!; and Cara’s Kindness. Yamaguchi resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Bret Hedican, and their two young daughters, Keara and Emma.
Photo Credits
Steve Kohls/The Brainerd Daily Dispatch
Bob Martin/Getty Images
David Madison/Getty Images