NCW Libraries hosts Free Virtual Humanities Washington Program Highlighting women In sports

(3/6/2026 – NCW Libraries invites the public to explore the lasting impact of the first woman to run the Boston Marathon 60 years ago in a free virtual Humanities Washington program.

 How Women Won the Marathon and Changed Our View of Gender will be presented on Thursday, March 26 at 6 p.m. This online presentation takes a closer look at the nearly 20 years between when Bobbi Gibb first tried to enter the Boston Marathon in 1966 to when the women’s marathon was added to the 1984 Olympics.

 Register for this program at www.ncwlibraries.org on the online calendar to get the Zoom link.

 When Gibb tried to enter the renowned marathon, she was told that women were not physically able to run 26 miles. Even when she snuck in and finished the race, the running federation, medical community, and broader culture continued to tell women they weren’t capable of such feats of endurance. This talk explores how women from different walks of life came together to change our social ideas about what they can and should do.

 This program is presented by Maggie Mertens, an independent journalist and author. Her work, which often focuses on the intersection between gender, culture, and sport, has appeared in The Atlantic, the Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, and The Guardian. Her first book, Better Faster Farther: How Running Changed Everything We Know About Women, is a national bestseller.

 NCW Libraries serves North Central Washington with 30 community libraries, a bookmobile, and a mail-order library. Our mission is to connect the people of North Central Washington to vital resources and opportunities that foster individual growth and strengthen communities.

More information

http://www.ncwlibraries.org

Register for this program

Humanities Washington

Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau