Gertrude Ederle was an American competitive swimmer who made history in 1926 when she became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. She swam from Cape Gris-Nez, France to Kingsdown, England in 14 hours and 34 minutes, setting a world record for the longest distance ever swum by a woman. Her accomplishment was celebrated widely in the United States and she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for her achievement.