Barbara F. Edmonson is a former world-record holder in the 50m, 100m and 200m and a member of the 1968 and 1972 United States Olympic teams. She was a member of the gold medal-winning 4x100m relay team and also won the 100m silver medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Barbara has been inducted into the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Following college graduation, Barbara was an elementary teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School district, but still continued to compete on an international level during most of her teaching career. After being named Union Representative for the United Teachers of Los Angeles, Barbara returned to the track as a coach for college, high school and club teams. Barbara has two daughters, Malika and Maya, both of whom also competed in college at Track & Field. She is also the proud Grandmother of their children, Jay and Joelle.