Helen Herring Stephens (February 3, 1918 – January 17, 1994) was an American athlete and a double Olympic champion in 1936.

There she won the 100 m final, beating reigning champion and world record holder, Stanisława Walasiewicz (aka Stella Walsh) of Poland.

[6] She was employed for many years in the Research Division of the U.S. Aeronautical Chart and Information Service (later, a part of the Defense Mapping Agency) in St. Louis, Missouri.

[11] Stephens received scrutiny over her gender after 100 m victory, with the Warsaw-based newspaper Kurier Poranny writing, "It is scandalous that the Americans entered a man in the women's competition.

"[13] Newspapers soon reported that German officials had given Stephens a so-called sex test and let her compete only after they had confirmed she was a woman.

[14] The Harrisbug Telegraph reported that International Olympic Committee performed a physical check on Stephens and concluded that she was a woman.