I found it surprising how one woman,
Gertrude Ederle also known as Trudy, became the first woman to finish the
35 miles English channel swim in the 1920's and beat the old record by almost
two hours. Not to mention, she did it in
freestyle which is more excruciating and tiring while the 5 men who also finished the English channel did it by breaststroke. Trudy was
19 years of age at the time she swam the channel. She was famously known for saying the phrase,
"what for". Her coach, who was in a small boat by her side throughout the whole swim asked her if she wanted to quit and just get on the boat because she looked tired and ready to stop, Trudy responded saying, "what for"?
It amazes me how women weren't allow to play sports or even sweat because it was seen as inappropriate and not "lady-like". Today, we see women doing what men do and sometimes even better. Women are now dunking the basketball, playing tackle football, wrestling, running the 800-meter once again, and they just keep going and going. Women have come a long way since the late 1800's in the sports industry and yet, they have more to accomplish and prove to the world in order for everyone to take them seriously.
Freddy F.
Kin. 338i Sec. 1
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