Lowell Lecture with Kathrine Switzer: More Than Running: Changing the Course of Women’s History
When:
Tuesday, Sep 15, 2020 6:00p -
7:30p
Tuesday, Sep 15, 2020 6:00p -
7:30p
Where:
Online event
Admission:
FREE
Categories:
History, Lectures & Conferences, Social Good, Sports & Active Life, Virtual & Streaming
Event website:
https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/5f3aaacf636ecf45005b8fbf
Join the Boston Public Library in partnership with the WGBH Forum Network for an online Lowell Lecture with Kathrine Switzer, author of Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women's Sports. BPL President David Leonard will moderate this program, which is part of our "Arc of History: Contested Perspectives" series. This conversation is also part of the esteemed Lowell Lecture (http://lowellinstitute.org/) series at the Boston Public library.
To register, please visit https://wgbh.zoom.us/webinar/register/8115972381470/WN_YBy00UEpRTCeA6nqRgbAhA.
In her book, Switzer describes how she registered to compete, saying, “there was nothing about gender in the marathon. I filled in my AAU number, plunked down $3 cash as entry fee, signed as I always sign my name, 'K.V. Switzer,' and went to the university infirmary to get a fitness certificate.” During the marathon she was accosted by race officials who tried to take away her bib number. As a result of Switzer’s act, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) banned women from competing in races against men until 1972, when the Boston Marathon established an official women's race.
To purchase a copy of Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women's Sports, please visit our community program partners Trident Booksellers & Cafe by using this link (https://www.tridentbookscafe.com/book/9780306825651) and the and the free shipping (media mail only) coupon code BPLSHIP, which can be applied under the "Coupon discount" field on the order form used during checkout.
In 1967, Katherine Switzer became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon as a numbered entrant. During her run, race official Jock Semple attempted to stop Switzer and grab her official bib; however, he was shoved to the ground by Switzer's boyfriend, Thomas Miller, who was running with her, and she completed the race. It was not until 1972 that women were allowed to run the Boston Marathon officially. Fifty years later, Kathrine Switzer successfully ran the Boston Marathon again at age 70.
Switzer was originally going to give this talk during the week of the 2020 Boston Marathon to discuss these barrier-breaking moments on the racecourse and in life. The COVID-19 outbreak resulted in the cancellation of the Boston Marathon in April 2020. In its stead, the Boston Athletic Association is hosting a series of virtual events in the second week of September. Learn more at https://www.baa.org/124th-boston-marathon-be-held-virtually.
Part of the Boston Public Library’s mission is to support lifelong learning, education and civic engagement that is “Free to All” including programs that bring figures and experts of note into conversation and dialogue. Arc of History: Contested Perspectives is a mini-series informed by historical moments and movements, recent and long past. The series is presented virtually in conjunction with the Lowell Institute and is produced and archived by the WGBH Forum network. For more information, please visit https://forum-network.org/series/history-talks-boston-public-library/.
