In 1956, she was the first African-American be named head coach of the U.S. Olympic Women's Track and Field Team.

In 1945, she competed in the AAU indoor and outdoor championships, placing second each time to Stella Walsh in the 200 meters.

[2][note 1] Jackson was inducted into the US National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1989, a year after she died in Vestal, New York.

National Girls and Women In Sports (NAGWS) established the Nell C. Jackson Memorial Award.

This award is presented annually to minority women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in sports.