Edith Kemp Freilich, one of only two women who have won all three major open team championships, was the third woman elected to the ACBL Bridge Hall of Fame.

She joined Josephine Culbertson and Helen Sobel Smith in the select group of 22 bridge greats.

Freilich and Smith were the only two women who have won the Vanderbilt, the Spingold and The Reisinger (formerly the Chicago). In fact, only 41 players throughout ACBL history have won all three.

Freilich won her first major championship – the NABC Women’s Pairs – with Mae Rosen in 1941. More than 50 years and 29 additional NABC titles later, her competitive drive and skill remain strong.

What keeps Freilich going? For one thing, she still loves the game. "It’s wonderful to have a sport you love," she says. "I’m going to be playing bridge as long as I can walk and talk."

Teammates and opponents admire Freilich’s tenacity.

"She’s tough and dangerous and always capable of making a fine play," says Shawn Quinn, whose team defeated Freilich’s team in the final of the Women’s Knockout Teams at the 1996 Summer NABC in Miami Beach .

Aileen Osofsky, chairman of the ACBL Goodwill Committee, recalls that Judi Radin, her bridge teacher, once pointed out Freilich and said: "That’s who I want to be when I grow up."