Happy International Women’s Day! Let’s Recognize Some Amazing Female Athletes, Shall We?

It’s International Women’s Day (i.e. my favorite holiday)!

I realize that many of you might not even know that this day of recognition exists, but it’s been on my radar for a very long time now and I always celebrate, even if only introspectively.  Professionally, I’ve worked as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence (largely gender-based violence) for many years.  Personally, I’ve been an all-around advocate for gender equality for as long as I can remember.  So March 8^th always feels like a holiday to me – a day to celebrate and honor my people.

I’ve been deeply privileged to know a great many incredible women throughout my life and I’ve been inspired by thousands more that I’ve never met in person.  With that said, it’s only been over the last few years since I started running that I’ve truly connected with finding inspiration in women athletes.

Nike Photo: Shalane Flanagan & Kara Goucher

Becoming a runner – a female runner – has brought so much into my life and I am continuously inspired by those women who have battled hard to be respected in the world of athletics, those who have demanded resources and support for athletes of all genders, and those who have simply trail-blazed the way for the rest of us – proving with their actions what women were capable of before anyone would listen to their words.  (Let us not forget that not all that long ago people believed running a marathon could cause a woman’s uterus to fall out!)

In honor of International Women’s Day and female athletes everywhere who are getting it done, whether it be alone at 6am on their local trails or in front of crowds full of people, I thought I’d take a minute to recognize a few of my personal favorite female runners who inspire me on a regular basis.

1. Kathrine Switzer – I can’t put up even a brief list like this without mentioning the first woman to ever (officially) run in Boston.  And that, of course, doesn’t even begin to cover everything she has done for female athletes since!
2. Shalane Flanagan – One of my current favorite marathoners.  I am so excited to see what she’s going do at Boston this year and I’m still hopeful that one day I’ll get to see her around Portland.  I’m always on the look-out!
3. Kara Goucher – My other current favorite marathoner.  We miss you in PDX, Kara!
4. Lauren Fleshman – I have so much darn appreciation for Lauren.  What she’s doing in terms of being a strong, proud athlete and representing women in the sport is amazing.  Her ‘Keeping it Real‘ project?  So awesome.  Picky Bars?  Fantastic.  Her newish partnership with Oiselle?  Can’t get enough of it.
5. Deena Kastor – If someone were to ask me who I wanted to be when I ‘grow up’, my answer might very well be Deena.
6. Cami Ostman – Cami is not a professional runner like the others listed above, but she is a force to be reckoned with as an athlete, a writer, and an all-around inspiring human being.  Her book Second Wind is a favorite of mine.
7. Rachel Toor – An ultrarunner and writer that seems to always know how to really speak the truth about what it’s like to be a runner and a woman.  Her book Personal Record is a great read and I always look forward to her articles in Running Times.

Happy International Women’s Day!