Martha Rae Watson is a retired American track and field athlete. She qualified for four Olympics, 1964-1976 in the long jump, but also was a fast enough sprinter to be on two United States 4 x 100 metres relay teams. She picked up the individual silver medal in the long jump and the gold in the 4 x 100 relay at the 1975 Pan American Games. She was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1987. Barely after graduating from Long Beach Polytechnic High School, she qualified for her first Olympic team. She joined Olympic teammate Wyomia Tyus in going to women's track powerhouse Tennessee State University. She was the American Indoor Champion in the Long Jump 9 times; in 1965, 1967-9 and 1972-1976. She also won three USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, 1973-5 before losing to the high school phenom Kathy McMillan, who also went on to Tennessee State University. Watson continued competing, jumping in the USA vs USSR meet of 1979, with the goal of making the 1980 Olympic team. When President Jimmy Carter announced the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott, that "killed the spark." 

August 19th, 1946 in Long Beach (Age 78)