In 1967, photos of a furious race official lunging at a woman mid-stride were plastered across the front pages of newspapers worldwide. That woman was Kathrine Switzer— the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon despite being told it was impossible. What began as a personal challenge soon became a global reckoning, sparking a pivotal moment in the fight for gender equality in sports. Follow us on Instagram @watchhercookpodcast Sources: Marathon Woman The woman who crashed the boston marathon Breaking barriers for women in sports Kathrine Switzer- Hall of Fame Bobbi Gibb: The Boston marathon pioneer Bobbi Gibb Marathon Pioneer- Sports Museum Before Title IX: How women sports teams got their start How title IX changed the landscape of sports Policing the bodies of women athletes is nothing new Women’s sports history Debunking women’s running myths 216 fearless Facts and myths about Atalanta, goddess of running Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Full Episode
In ancient Greek mythology lived the heroine Atalanta. Her name, meaning unswaying and enduring, echoes the very essence of who she was. Uninterested in the roles women were expected to play, Atalanta was unwavering in her identity and unafraid to be herself.
She was abandoned at birth by her father who longed for a son, and raised by bears in the wilderness, growing up to become one of the most skilled hunters and fastest runners in the land. She was independent and untamed, and was warned that marriage would be her downfall.
Determined to preserve her freedom, she vowed only to marry a man who could beat her in a race, knowing full well that no one could. Suitors lined up for the challenge, but all were defeated, losing their lives in the process.
It wasn't until Hipponomes, with the help of the goddess Aphrodite and a handful of golden apples, finally distracted and outran her that she was reluctantly claimed as a wife. But what made Antolanta timeless isn't how her story ends, it's what she stood for. Her myth is less about love and loss and more about agency, strength, and the right to choose your own path.
She was a heroine who embraced her non-traditional gifts and used them without apology. Her story lives on in every woman who dares to run her own race. A reminder that being true to yourself is the greatest victory of all. This is Watch Her Cook.
Hello everyone, I'm Cassie. And I'm Danielle. Welcome back to Watch Her Cook, a podcast dedicated to sharing the incredible lives of women who have taken their power back throughout history. What did you think of my little intro today? It threw me back to high school. I haven't thought about Greek mythology that much, but it reminded me of my Greek mythology class in ninth grade. Wow.
The last time I talked about Greek mythology was I did a maid of honor speech for my best friend, Netea, last summer. And I talked about the myth of people being split in half and searching for their soulmate and yada, yada. So that was my last dance with Greek mythology. But I really loved this story. And it's one that I don't remember learning about in ninth grade mythology class.
And I think the sentiment is something that so many people can relate to and just her standing up for what she wants. And I'm not a runner, but I can relate to her story because I feel like marriage will be my downfall. Just saying. That's the spirit.
Well, I think if you're married to the right person, it's not a downfall. It's just making sure that you don't lose yourself in your marriage.
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