And Though She Haveth Ovaries, She Is Fierce

“I hadn’t intended to make a feminist statement. I was running against the distance not the men and I was measuring myself with my own potential.” –Roberta Gibb, marathon runner

On August 8, 2012 Sarah Attar became the first woman from Saudi Arabia to compete in track and field at the Olympics. Her performance reminds us all that women were not always allowed to participate in running events, and many women still do not have the freedom to do so today.

Grete Waitz

It was only about 40 years ago when women were banned from competing in marathons internationally. That’s right, no Olympic marathon for women—men only. Women were forbidden to participate in the Boston Marathon until 1972. Back then women were discriminated against and ridiculed for running. In the 1960 Olympics in Rome, the longest distance women were allowed to race was 800 meters (wow a whole two laps).  They did not think women could physically run farther, believing it was just too exhausting and debilitating for their bodies.

Women like Roberta Gibb, the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon, did not let rules stop her. In 1966 she crashed the marathon by hiding behind a bush at the start and jumping into the race. She passed 290 men in that race. Katherine Switzer who had entered the Boston Marathon in 1967 under her initials, was assaulted during the race by an event director who tied to push her out of the race. In the same race, Roberta Gibb was pushed off the course just moments before she crossed the finish line.

It was the bold and courageous actions of women like Roberta Gibb and Katherine Switzer that brought women’s running into the public eye and ignited a movement toward equality for women in racing. They disproved a belief that society held for years: that women could not outrun males. But the beautiful thing is that they did not put in hours of hard work and run as many miles as they did in the pursuit of outdoing men. No, every mile was for them because they loved running and they wanted to see how far they could take their bodies.

By shattering records and earning Olympic medals, other women like Sara Berman, Nina Kuscik, Grete Waitz, and Joan Bernoit have changed women’s running. It is their accomplishments that have changed the rules, allowing women to be included in distance races, to run farther, to run in their own categories and age groups just like men, and to enjoy the freedom, power, and confidence running can give a woman.

The advancement of women’s inclusion and participation in athletics teaches us one thing. The fight for equality for men and women cannot be done without a little rebellion. If we want change, we need fearless women who not only dream big but also chase after them with guts and determination.

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/attar-makes-olympic-track-debut-saudi-women-16955453#.UCaU1UL3AzU

Click to access 2-23.pdf

http://www.runlikeagirlfilm.com/history.php

http://www.marathonguide.com/history/olympicmarathons/chapter25.cfm

http://jezebel.com/5161046/running-with-cervixes-women-overcome-hurdles

http://running.competitor.com/2011/04/features/losing-a-legend-remembering-grete-waitz_25632

http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=11726&PageNum=1

Got Feminism?

 

“A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water”—Eleanor Roosevelt

I have recently been inspired by a campaign launched by the National Council of Women of New Zealand called the ‘Who Needs Feminism?’ campaign . This campaign wants people to speak out about why they need feminism, hoping to bring its importance into the spotlight.

Staying on topic, I just read an article from the Washington Post, which quite frankly, left me feeling upset. The title of the article pretty much explains it all: Women earn 91 cents for every dollar men earn–if you control for life choices. Considering the enormous advances our nation has made in the years in technology and medicine, it’s sad and astonishing to know that discrimination still exists.  So we can create weapons and find treatments for various diseases, but we can’t pay women and men equally for equal work? This seems ridiculous am I right?

But this is no laughing matter; it says something very important about our society. Women are still valued less than men. There is still a voice out there that says men are stronger, men are the leaders, men are smarter, men are more deserving, a voice that is meant to maintain men’s position at the top and to prevent women from threatening that position. How will women ever reach their full potential if we don’t shut this voice up?

Now you might think factors such as maternity leave and the fact that women are more apt to enter lower-paying fields and professions due to societal norms may explain the gender gap. But, according to the article, a little less than half of the gender gap is unaccounted for after these factors are considered.

One particular piece of information from the article infuriated me, as it was very relevant to myself. It claimed that studies have found that women earn five percent less than men one year after college graduation.

I must be honest, learning this sent me over the top. Women have a right to earn equal pay for equal work. There are no ifs or buts about it. I have worked hard since day one in kindergarten and have done everything in my power to give myself the best opportunities in life so that I can reach my full potential. Now if I can’t reach my full potential simply due to the fact that I am a woman—now that is completely messed up. I wish to be judged by my character and efforts and not my gender. This is why I need feminism.

Why do you need feminism?