As a professional athlete and public health advocate, track and field star Gabby Thomas has always had a passion for people.
From a young age, Thomas knew she was interested in healthcare and well-being, especially after witnessing firsthand the disparities that people who look like her face when it comes to medical care in America.
“I wanted to kind of commit my life to uplifting others,” the 28-year-old told MadameNoire. “One thing my mom always told me was that you want to leave a place better than you found it, and I took that very seriously. My journey since then has been all about creating a foundation for myself where I can uplift others, whether in a small way or a large one. I found my purpose in public health and athletics, and so I’ve just been doing that and practicing that ever since.”
As one of the world’s premier sprinters, Thomas found massive success in both the 100-meter and 200-meter events. She cemented her legacy during the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials when she became the second-fastest woman in history in the 200-meter, setting a time of 21.61 seconds. During the 2023 USATF Championships, she improved that time to 21.60 seconds.
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When she isn’t dominating on the track, the five-time Olympic medalist advocates for diversity in STEM fields, using her platform to encourage others who look like her to pursue careers in the field. In 2019, Thomas earned a degree in neurobiology and global health from Harvard University, followed by a Master’s degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
Through her latest partnership with Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, she’s showcasing her love for public health and the community. The products are inspired by Thelma A. Meyer, a real-life Iowa homemaker and mother of nine. Meyer had an affinity for her backyard garden and believed in a better way to care for her home.
Thomas has joined forces with the brand to harness the goodness of the garden and help grow and reignite the compassionate spirit that lives within fellow Americans through the Lots of Compassion initiative, which cultivates compassion by transforming vacant lots into thriving community gardens.
“I love to align myself with brands and partnerships that align with my values; that’s a big part of what I do,” said Thomas. “And I love the idea behind the Mrs. Meyer’s Lots of Compassion campaign, because I genuinely believe that small acts, whether it’s a community garden or simply uplifting others, have a huge impact.”
“I know what it can do for you, both physically and mentally,” she continued. “And I also know from my work in the clinic that green spaces give people a place to recharge, to connect, and just feel good. I’m proud of this movement. It spreads kindness and it helps communities.”
Through Lots of Compassion, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is helping to propel the 90 percent of Americans who have a strong desire to support their communities, but never really get a chance to get involved because they don’t know where to start.
For Thomas, green spaces hold a personal place in her heart and the community she comes from.
“Many disadvantaged neighborhoods lack parks or community gardens, and as we know, built environments are part of the social determinants of health,” explained Thomas, who was born in Atlanta and grew up in Northampton, Mass. “So when I do my clinic work, that is a big barrier for a lot of the patients that I see. It’s a barrier to them getting outside, exercising, and feeling comfortable going for a walk. It’s a barrier to even just their mental health and going outside and getting fresh air and just feeling a community around them, and that leads to a lot of negative health effects down the line for them.”
She added, “It’s something that I see every day, and something so small, like planting a seed or gardening, can make a big impact on any given patient on any day. That to me is huge. This campaign can fund and support the development of these spaces, providing an environment where people can feel good, families can gather, children can play, and anyone can go outside and feel happy. To me, it’s everything. It’s just a small part of what we can do to make our communities a better place.”
Helping to transform vacant lots into beautiful gardens that benefit everyone in the community is no small feat for Thomas. Sharing the goodness of the garden to bring people together and make the world a better place mirrors the work that Thomas aims to do as a professional athlete and someone working in the healthcare space.
“What I always say is, work hard and give back when you can, because that’s what I’ve done and it’s got me here,” said Thomas, speaking to any young girl who may be inspired by the work she does both on and off the track. “So, if you find something that you’re passionate about, you work hard. You don’t let anybody tell you what you can or can’t do, and don’t let them set limitations on you. But always remember to give back and look where you’ve come from. I think that’s just really important. To make sure that you’re lifting the communities that you come from and wherever you’re taking up space, make sure that you’re improving that space.”
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