MILDRED HOPKINS KETCHUM

PROFILE: Mildred Hopkins was born in Raynham, Massachusetts in 1918. She married Ellison Ketchum, former Director of Athletics at Denver University. Both were active in the national fundraising drives. Mildred has the distinction of being the first woman added to the PIONEER section of the Greyhound Hall of Fame in 1979.

HISTORY: Mille Hopkins made her debut into the greyhound industry as a chart writer in her hometown of Taunton. Millie had many firsts in her life. She was the first to break into the man’s world of greyhound racing and the first head chart writer in Daytona Beach, Florida. The year was 1949. In the early 1950’s Millie worked in Colorado and then Cuba, where she helped establish the sport. For the last 20 years, 1959 to 1979, Millie Hopkins Ketchum has devoted her energies to the improvement of the Greyhound Racing Record, and in 1979 was still serving as business manager to the weekly publication. Millie has remained the chart writer for Biscayne since 1964.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Millie Hopkins Ketchum’s biggest contribution to greyhound racing was undoubtedly breaking the sex barrier for the future. However, Ketchum was instrumental, with Roger Burtt, in helping found the Greyhound Racing Record, which she still owned part of in 1979.