The woman who changed the notion that only men were physically capable of running marathons: Not too long ago, men were convinced that women were “physically incapable” of finishing a marathon — and took it upon themselves to bar women from participating in marathons, according to Makers. Kathrine Switzer set out to give women “the physical equivalent of the right to vote” by participating in and completing the Boston Marathon in 1967 despite being attacked during the race. Her advocacy after the marathon ultimately led to the creation of the women’s edition of the Olympic marathon in 1984 (watch, runtime: 1:27).
The woman who proved that women are physically capable of running marathons