Margaret Swan Forbes

1989 Inductee
Athletics
(1919-2010)

Margaret Forbes of San Antonio was a prominent figure in aquatics, specifically national and international synchronized swimming, for 35 years. She was closely involved in the development of another competitive sport, Team Aerobic Dance, for the Amateur Athletic Union. She wrote and developed the rules and served as national chairman for the first four years of the sport’s existence.

She served as chairman of the International Committee for U.S. Synchro Swimming and the Synchronized Swimming for National Aquatics Council, and she judged the United States National Team Trials and the U.S. Olympic Trials for many years. In 1973 the San Antonio Express-News named her Sportswoman of the Year.

She was a member of the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame, the executive board of the San Antonio Sports Foundation, and a member of the South Texas Amateur Athletic Union.

The Cygnets of San Antonio and Margaret Forbes represented the U.S. and the State of Texas in Czechoslovakia, Mexico, Canada, England, Germany, France and Denmark.

Ms. Forbes received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education from Trinity University and completed her post-graduate work at the University of Texas. She was a professor of physical education at San Antonio College before retiring in 1979. She was given emeritus status in 2001.