Like Yvette, Angela was a gold medallist and they even had the same coach.
On her 18th birthday in 1947, aspiring Dunedin long jumper Yvette Williams received an extra-large scrapbook.
Despite being told she would gain unsightly muscles if she carried on with athletics, her parents had proudly cut out newspaper articles from her season that needed a home. Yvette went to her bedroom, opened it at her desk and carefully wrote "My Sporting Life" onto the first page.
Being an athlete was an unorthodox choice for a young woman of that era. All her friends were getting married and having children. Her own boyfriend at the time wanted her to do the same.
But holding on to her dream, Yvette wrote in her diary: "One year today is the opening of the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, so I just wonder if I'll be there. Either that or doing housework, I suppose."
It's this scrapbook and never-before-seen diaries that author Angela Walker has drawn on to recreate the day-to-day world of the late Kiwi icon in her new book Ideals Are Like Stars.
Author Angela was given accesss to all Yvette's scrapbooks and diaries.
It coincides with the 70th anniversary of Dame Yvette Williams becoming the first New Zealand woman to win an Olympic gold medal - a feat not repeated until windsurfer Barbara Kendall won gold 40 years later.
Angela believes Yvette's life story is one that is long overdue being told.
"I was absolutely flabbergasted there hadn't been a book done on her before, when she's well worthy of having her legacy in print," she asserts.
"No one else had 'forgotten' to write the biographies of Peter Snell, Murray Halberg or John Walker - all of her male counterparts."
Denne historien er fra June 6, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 6, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The perfect GETAWAY
From lengthy airport clinches to party ghosting, Michéle examines goodbyes
Message in a BOTTLE
Kevin makes a discovery in his shed that piques his detective skills
Empowered & thriving! PERFECT AT ANY AGE
Weekly editor Marilynn bravely shares her bold new approach to living her best life at 50 and beyond
Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE
From stressed to refreshed! Lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr Jenny Brockis shares the simple steps you should adopt to give your wellbeing a boost
Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT
The podcaster’s eyes have been opened to a new way of life
TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD
After a tough start to motherhood, the foodie tells how she reclaimed her life
Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART
After a decade in the country, she’s given up the good life to return home
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills