Women’s History Month 2023: Women Inspiring and Empowering Women
As runners, we have much to celebrate during Women’s History Month this March. Women make up the majority of non-marathon road race participants – 61%, according to the 2020 Running USA Running Trends Report – and girls and women continue to take up running in large numbers. A year after celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the present and future look bright.
This month we:
- Highlight the historical milestones achieved by women at NYRR and in the running community.
- Celebrate women in leadership positions and at high levels of the sport – including our NYRR Hall of Fame – who have overcome barriers to succeed.
- Show how women runners and leaders inspire and empower other women and girls at all levels.
We tell stories of the achievements of women runners and all athletes, knowing that we need to continue to address issues. Too few women hold position of influence in running – as coaches, industry leaders, and in the media. The accomplishments of women still receive less attention than those of men. BIPOC women runners remain underrepresented, and trans women runners (along with non-binary runners) struggle for recognition.
We will continue to make progress, inspiring and empowering girls and women runners and making running more inclusive for all.
Women's Participation in Running: Where We've Been, Where We Are, Where We're Headed
When NYRR was founded in 1958, all 47 members were men. The earliest records of women members and women finishers in races occur about a decade later. Today, women make up about half of all members of NYRR, and they outnumber men in the younger age brackets. Women also make up about half of all finishers of NYRR races at all distances.
NYRR's History of Women in Leadership
NYRR has a history of women in leadership roles stretching back to our early days. Throughout our history, all of our leaders have worked and advocated for equal opportunities and recognition for women runners.
Rising NYRR Ambassadors Tell Us About Women Who Inspire Them
Several of our Rising New York Road Runners Youth Ambassadors told us about women in history who inspire them. The Youth Ambassadors program teaches speech fundamentals and public-speaking to participants, helping improve their presentation and communication skills.
Women Runners in the NYRR Hall of Fame
The New York Road Runners Hall of Fame honors legendary figures in our sport, who through their triumphs and contributions have made NYRR and the TCS New York City Marathon what they are today. Of the 40 inductees into the NYRR Hall of Fame, 15 are women.
A Timeline of NYRR Women's Running History
As we celebrate Women's History Month, we highlight historical milestones achieved by women runners in and around NYRR events and programs and in the running community.
Women Coaches and Leaders Find Fulfillment and Give Back
More women than ever are becoming coaches and leaders. As we celebrate Women's History Month, we hear from three NYRR women coaches and leaders about their journeys and their work to inspire and empower other women.
Running with Shimá
NYRR Contributors Circle member Dinée Dorame shares how much of her athletic journey was powerfully shaped by her mother and other women in her family.
Women-Owned International Tour Operators Make Strides
International Tour Operators (ITOs) bring thousands of runners to marathons around the world. Several ITOs are founded and managed by women, most of whom say their passion for this industry is travel and helping runners fulfill their dreams.
Stay tuned for new content throughout the month! And check out two NYRR women's races taking place this spring: SHAPE + Health Women's Half Marathon on April 30 and Mastercard New York Mini 10K (and Girls Run at the Mastercard New York Mini 10K) on June 10.