Meet Kathrine Switzer
Kathrine Switzer is a modern day pioneer woman.
In 1967, at the age of 20, Ms. Switzer became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon wearing official numbers. When a race official spotted her, he tried to rip off her numbers and throw her out of the race—because she was a woman. But Ms. Switzer finished the race.
"That accomplishment changed my life and gave me a tremendous sense that there was nothing in the world I couldn't do," Ms. Switzer recently told the Baltimore Sun.
Running the marathon inspired Ms. Switzer to create running opportunities for women across the country. It is what led to her creating the Avon Running series. As Director of Avon Sports Programs from 1977-1986, she was responsible for the company sponsoring women's running, tennis, and ice-skating. She also helped to get the woman's marathon event included in the 1984 Olympics.
In 1986, Ms. Switzer formed her own company, AtAlanta Sports Promotions, Inc. She also did broadcasting and journalism work for ABC, NBC, CBS, and Turner Sports Broadcasting. She even won an Emmy Award in 1997 for her coverage of the 1997 Los Angeles Marathon. She is the author of the book, Running and Walking for Women Over 40, The Road to Sanity and Vanity. Her articles have been published in The New York Times, Washington Post, Runner's World, and other publications.
Ms. Switzer has run 35 marathons, won the 1974 New York City Marathon, and in 1975 was ranked sixth in the world, and third in the U.S. In 1998 she was inducted into the National Long Distance Running Hall of Fame.
