In Celebration of Sheroes
In honor of Women’s History Month, here’s a look back at a few of the many notable women in sports, fitness, and wellness—from distant and recent history. Their stories are inspiring, and they are just the tipping point of the noteworthy and extraordinary women who paved the way, stood out, and stood for women’s health and fitness.
Sailor Hélène de Pourtalès (American-born, representing Switzerland) and American golfer Margaret Abbott were the first two women to win Olympic gold medals. They were among the 22 women who competed in the 1900 Olympic Games—the first time that women were allowed to compete in the Games.
Not that long ago—in 1977—Gina LaSpina was the first woman to win a formal women’s bodybuilding competition. In the process, she was among paving the way for women to show off their muscularity the same way men did in these competitions: flexing and hitting bodybuilding poses. Previously, women participating in bodybuilding events—wearing bikinis and heels—were judged on their looks and physique similar to a beauty pageant.
Ernestine Shepherd was 74 when the Guinness Book of World Records declared her the oldest competitive bodybuilder in 2010. At 84, she no longer competes, but she still hits the gym.
British physician Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States, graduating from Geneva Medical College in 1849. And her thesis on typhoid fever, which the Buffalo Medical Journal published shortly after Blackwell’s graduation, was the first medical article by a female student published in the U.S. An advocate for social justice, she was among the pioneers promoting education for women in medicine.
The fastest woman in the world, Florence Griffith-Joyner (aka Flo-Jo), has maintained that distinction since gaining it in 1988, when she set the record in the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash at the 1988 Olympics.
Overweight for most of her childhood and adult life, Jean Nidetch grew frustrated with fad diets, medications, and other weight-loss “solutions.” After visiting the New York City Department of Health Obesity Clinic in 9161, she started using the diet they gave her and shared it with friends who she met with weekly to discuss their progress and obstacles. Eventually, not only did she meet her weight loss goal and inspire countless others to meet theirs, but she also turned her passion into a business by founding Weight Watchers in 1963.
When registering for the 1967 Boston Marathon, Kathrine Switzer hid her gender by not using her full first name. Despite an official trying to chase her down during the race (her boyfriend intervened), she crossed the finish line—becoming the first woman officially to enter and run a formal marathon. Switzer went on to lobby for including the women’s marathon as an official Olympic Games event.
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