A running enthusiast for over 50 years now, the world will always remember when Kathrine Switzer challenged the all-male tradition of the Boston Marathon in 1967 and became the first woman to officially enter and run the event. She persevered to finish the marathon despite a great uproar against her entry and having a race official try to forcibly remove her from the competition, an iconic moment that was shown around the world and became one of Time-Life’s ‘100 Photos That Changed the World.’ This event inspired Switzer to create a change and opportunities for women.
Graduating from Syracuse with a BA in journalism and English and an MS in public relations, Switzer has gone on to run over 39 marathons and continues to compete, while simultaneously having a career in sports marketing, broadcasting, and motivating others in fitness and business. In 1997, she won her first of many Emmy Awards for her commentary of the Los Angeles Marathon. Switzer has written books and had articles featured in well-known papers, such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. She is married to Dr. Roger Robinson and splits her time between New York and New Zealand, while continuing to be a strong advocate for women.
