Rosie #1: Kathrine Switzer
Kathrine Switzer is a former American marathon runner who is best known for being the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as an officially registered entrant. In 1967, Switzer entered the race under the name “K.V. Switzer” and was assigned bib number 261. During the race, a race official attempted to physically remove Switzer from the course because women were not allowed to participate in the marathon. Switzer managed to complete the race and her participation in the Boston Marathon helped pave the way for women to compete in long distance running events. Today, Switzer is a prominent advocate for women’s sports and women’s rights.
References:
- https://kathrineswitzer.com/1967-boston-marathon-the-real-story/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathrine_Switzer
- https://www.nyrr.org/about/hall-of-fame/kathrine-switzer
Rosie #2: Enheduanna
Enheduanna was a Sumerian princess and the first known author in world history. She lived in the ancient city of Ur in present-day Iraq around 2400 BC. Enheduanna was the daughter of King Sargon the Great and served as the high priestess of the moon god Nanna in the city of Ur. She is known for her poetry, which has survived to the present day and is considered some of the earliest and most important literature in the world. Enheduanna’s poetry is notable for its depiction of strong, powerful female figures and its focus on the goddess Inanna. In addition to her poetry, Enheduanna is also known for her efforts to promote the worship of Inanna and for her role in the development of the Sumerian culture.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enheduanna
- https://theconversation.com/hidden-women-of-history-enheduanna-princess-priestess-and-the-worlds-first-known-author-109185#:~:text=The%20world’s%20first%20known%20author%20is%20widely%20considered%20to%20be,as%20a%20writer%20and%20poet.
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/pax94m/first-author-enheduanna-mesopotamia-priestess