Yes, Pickford was "America's Sweetheart," though I don't know whether she was the first ever. As for skating sweethearts, I do remember feeling a bit resentful that Kristi wasn't accorded the title as Peggy and Dorothy were. I suspected at the time that it was because she was Asian American, but thank goodness, I think that's less of an issue with the passage of time. In any case, Kristi has actually grown in national popularity through the years, partly because of her pro career and partly because of Dancing with the Stars. What factors will make sweethearts out of our current skaters, I wonder?