Farida Ahsan @faridaahsan - Twitter Profile

What an amazing story! When Bobbi Gibb applied to run in the Boston Marathon in 1966 they rejected her saying: “Women are not physiologically able to run a marathon, and we can’t take the liability.” On the day of the marathon, 50 years ago, Gibb hid in the bushes and waited for the race to begin. When about half of the runners had gone past she jumped in. She wore her brother’s Bermuda shorts, a pair of boy’s sneakers, a bathing suit, and a sweatshirt. As she took off into the swarm of runners, Gibb started to feel overheated, but she didn’t remove her hoodie. “I knew if they saw me, they were going to try to stop me,” she said. “I even thought I might be arrested.” It didn’t take long for male runners in Gibb’s vicinity to realize that she was not another man. Gibb expected them to shoulder her off the road, or call out to the police. Instead, the other runners told her that if anyone tried to interfere with her race, they would put a stop to it. Finally feeling secure and assured, Gibb took off her sweatshirt. As soon as it became clear that there was a woman running in the marathon, the crowd erupted—not with anger or righteousness, but with pure joy, she recalled. Men cheered. Women cried. By the time she reached Wellesley College, the news of her run had spread, and the female students were waiting for her, jumping and screaming. The governor of Massachusetts met her at the finish line and shook her hand. The first woman to ever run the marathon had finished in the top third.

CalltoActivism's tweet photo. What an amazing story!

When Bobbi Gibb applied to run in the Boston Marathon in 1966 they rejected her saying:

“Women are not physiologically able to run a marathon, and we can’t take the liability.”

On the day of the marathon, 50 years ago, Gibb hid in the bushes and waited for the race to begin.

When about half of the runners had gone past she jumped in.

She wore her brother’s Bermuda shorts, a pair of boy’s sneakers, a bathing suit, and a sweatshirt.

As she took off into the swarm of runners, Gibb started to feel overheated, but she didn’t remove her hoodie. “I knew if they saw me, they were going to try to stop me,” she said. “I even thought I might be arrested.”

It didn’t take long for male runners in Gibb’s vicinity to realize that she was not another man. Gibb expected them to shoulder her off the road, or call out to the police.

Instead, the other runners told her that if anyone tried to interfere with her race, they would put a stop to it. Finally feeling secure and assured, Gibb took off her sweatshirt.

As soon as it became clear that there was a woman running in the marathon, the crowd erupted—not with anger or righteousness, but with pure joy, she recalled. Men cheered.

Women cried.

By the time she reached Wellesley College, the news of her run had spread, and the female students were waiting for her, jumping and screaming.

The governor of Massachusetts met her at the finish line and shook her hand.

The first woman to ever run the marathon had finished in the top third.

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faridaahsan retweeted

Emma-Jane Taylor (E-J) 🇬🇧

@ejtayloruk

about 3 years ago

At 9 years old I was sexually assaulted by the restaurant owner who had befriended my family on holiday. At 12 years old my 'beautiful handsome hero; Dad', told he couldn't see me again, and he didn't. At 13 years old the family 'friend' groomed and raped me for the next 3 years. Today I campaign around the world, because I know this is #NotMyShame, I was just a child....the shame was every bit owned by the adults who made decisions to physically, emotionally, mentally violate me. My childhood was ripped apart, but my adult voice is very much alive and kicking. Keep believing those disclosing, it's not rocket science. Nothing more to add. @notmyshameuk @Project9010 #campaigner #notmyshame