Women of a Different Caliber
By Ruby Fox
Let me start off
with a old saying, I don’t know who wrote or said it however it sums up my
view of “women of a different caliber”
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though
checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor
suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor
defeat!”
Ask yourself. In which category do I belong? I would hope that you have both won
and lost, and only lost when you gave 100%. Sometime the winner is not always
the one who come in first but the one who over comes personal doubts, fears, and
obstacles to achieved personal goals.
The are a few women I know who are “Women of a different Caliber!
Margaret Mudock, silver medallist, three position small-bore rifle Montreal
Olympics, 1976. Margaret was the first U S woman to make an Olympic team in an
“open” event. She was also the only woman to win a medal in an open Olympic
event. Margaret finished with the same score as the winner. However due to the
tie breaking rules at the time she was awarded the silver. She is not only a
shooting foremother, she’s A Woman of a different Caliber!
Luann Ryan won the gold medal in archery at the Montreal Games in 1976. The
Olympic were the first big international archery event Luann had attended. Not a
problem, she beat them all and went on to win Pan American and World
Championship Gold also. Luann had never “shot an arrow” until she graduated
high school. Had a dream, set her goals and follow them through! Also, A Woman
of a different Caliber!
Launi Meili: gold medallist, Ladies 3-p, 92 Olympic games in Barcelona, Spain.
Shortly before going to the line to fire for record her shit ass husband
informed her that he wanted a divorce! What a rock to be thrown in your bucket
before the most important event of your life! Again, keep your goals in view;
don’t let anything outside of the “now” interfere with the task at hand.
She didn’t and won the gold .. A Woman of a different Caliber!
Lt. Col. Sallie Carroll, US Army retired. In 1970 Sallie won the gold medal in
Ladies Air Pistol at the World Shooting Championships in Phoenix. Then she was
off for a tour in Vietnam where she was injured diving into a bunker during a
fire fight and spent the next couple of years recovering. In 1979 Sallie joined
me on the medal stand at the World Air Championships in Seoul, Korea to receive
a gold medal in the team event. She has been a friend and mentor to me since I
started me shooting career. She is a Woman of a different Caliber!
On a personal note, the morning of the final tryouts for the 1987 Pan American
Games I received a call informing me that my mother had just passed away. I told
my friend and roommate, Kim Dyer, my sad news. We sat on the bed, cried tears
and prayed together, and talked about what a strong person Mrs. Finley was. I
told Kim, “I need to win this for her!” and I did. One month later I won the
Pan Am Gold in Ladies Air Pistol. Adversary is a strength builder if you don’t
let it control your life. My mother was woman of a different caliber.
Had anyone told me 37 years ago “I see you’re future as, having a devoted
husband, 3 bright children, 4 outstanding grandchildren, many wonderful friends
an wonderful home, travel around the world with 10 men, shoot guns at targets,
win medals, shake hands with Presidents of the United States, have good health
and happiness.” I would have said RIGHT!!!!! Having good health and happiness
are great. OK, husband, children, grandchildren, family, friends, Lets talk
about the 10 men and other stuff. Well the 10 men came in the form of the elite
USAR Pistol Team. What a woman on the team??? Can she shoot??? Well the “high
man on the team today was a woman”, Col Jack Vincent smiled. Well “not bad
for a girl”, remarked Steve Reiter, 5 time US Outdoor pistol Champion and
Olympian. That started a 29 year and 10 month career. These men were always
there for positive reinforcement and only wanted me to improve. Yes, they too
are of a different caliber.
I have received many honors and award during my shooting career. However these
would not have been possible without the support and encouragement given me by
my husband, Art, our children and family. My sister said the day I won the
Silver Medal was the most exciting day of her life. They have been behind me,
win or lose all this time. Art, also my coach, has always been there to offer
support and encouragement. With out him none of this would have happened and I
would not be here today. He is truly of a different caliber.
I can walk on to a pistol range in the United States, Germany, Switzerland,
Thailand or Korea and there will be someone who knows who I am and of my
shooting accomplishments. To be recognized as someone of note is
self-satisfying. Being here with you today to share some of my memories my
thoughts and some knowledge is indeed an honor and a privilege because of you I
can consider myself a Woman of a different Caliber.
Remember shooting is a lifetime sport, and no matter what you want to do you
can!!! Have a dream, set your goals, be your own best friend, believe in your
self and you to can become a women of a different caliber. That is the
secret!!!!!!! Thank you, God Bless, and be Safe