Who was the first African-American woman to win a gold medal at the Olympics?

Alice Coachman was the first African-American woman to win a gold medal at the Olympics. She achieved this historic milestone at the 1948 London Olympics, where she won the gold medal in the high jump. Coachman's victory was particularly significant as it came at a time when racial segregation was prevalent in the United States, making her accomplishment not only a triumph in sports but also a pivotal moment in the fight for civil rights and representation in athletics.

Her exceptional talent and determination paved the way for future generations of athletes, and her achievement remains an inspiring story in the context of both sports and social change. The other individuals listed did not achieve this distinction as they either competed in different events, such as Jackie Robinson who was a baseball player, or achieved their own milestones in different contexts, such as Wilma Rudolph, who won her gold medals later in 1960. Marjorie M. Joyner is notable for her contributions to beauty culture and entrepreneurship but is not associated with Olympic athletics.