It hasn’t always been possible for women to celebrate their strength, wellbeing and health. Taking exercise as an example, it wasn’t until the 1960s and 70s that campaigns for women to take part in major running marathon events were successful. In fact, the Boston Marathon 1967 saw the only female runner tackled by one of the organisers. He attempted to remove her bib number and disqualify her. Women have been told not to sweat in public. Required to exercise in dresses and high heels. And given a seemingly endless list of excuses about why it wasn’t ‘safe’ to exercise. There were even rumours that a woman’s uterus would fall out if she exerted herself!
Fortunately, we live in more empowering times, when women’s health and fitness is not just accepted, but breaking new boundaries every day.
However you mark International Women’s Day, celebrate your unique and powerful body. It’s one of the simplest and most self-loving ways to pay homage to the women who fought for the right to work out, think and eat how you want!