Joanna de Tuscan

Joanna de Tuscan started fencing in 1929 in Detroit where she was taught by her future husband, Bela de Tuscan. In 1934 she travelled to New York to further her fencing, where she trained with Giorgio Santelli. In 1935, deTuscan and her fellow Salle deTuscan women’s team travelled to the US nationals in Manhattan wearing fencing pants. Paul Gallico attacked the Michigan women in a nationwide syndicated article, “Pants Are For Guys.” Mrs. deTuscan was cheated consistently by the NY officials where she was given “one out of every 3 touches scored.” De Tuscan won the Amateur Fencers League of America (AFLA) title in foils in 1936. After the Berlin Olympics she stayed in Budapest for six months and fenced exhibitions and worked with Santelli’s father, Italo Santelli.

On her return to the United States she was immediately declared a professional because of the exhibitions. In 1937 de Tuscan performed in theatrical fencing with sabres for a year in London. She then spent another 18 months in Europe giving exhibitions in various countries and in 1939 won what was considered the world professional foil championship for women, at a meet held in Deauville, France. After being accused of being a pro, deTuscan began accepting sponsored advertisements for Camel Cigarettes and Maxwell House Coffee and Wheaties among others. She later became a real estate agent and a commander with the Los Angeles Power Squadron, where she taught safety at sea and did charting for the Coast Guard.