Women do some amazing things, and their capabilities are mind blowing.
After my last two discussions on women’s roles and expectations in strength, it’s time to truly identify some strong women in action. As you are browsing through those videos, it’s time to be brutally honest and face the socialization issue head on. Can society handle the idea of a woman being strong?
Sadly, I know the answer. Within the meathead world, strong women have their place. Outside of that world, the stereotypical socialization and gender expectations reign supreme.
Thank you for your patience and for bearing with me as I have expressed myself through these articles. If the only mark I ever make in the strength world is with my words, I consider that a victory and a legacy I take pride in. My personal purpose of my log on elitefts™ has always been to make men and women stop and re-evaluate how society perceives the idea of strength in women, and to break some of the common ideologies.
Obviously, these women are at the elite and extreme spectrum of strength and are some of my favorite examples of strong women.
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Amy competes in Strongman, highland games, and grip. She has won the Women’s National Championship in the US Grip National Championship and North American Highlander and has also competed in the World Strongwoman Championship. Amy holds several North American records in grip and highlander and a world record in grip. In addition to competing, Amy is a special education teacher and owns Competitive Edge Athletic Performance Center in Meridian, Idaho, (
Those were some strong girls.
*women
My all time favorite Nance Avigliano, 556 squat at 132 I think she was 43 or so at the time. I had a couple of opportunities to hang out and train with her she is an all around inspiration.
Inspirational…from an aspiring strongwoman and newbie to the sport! We do it because we can! Thanks for assembling and for writing your articles.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about training all athletes and celebrating strength in all forms. In your log it sounded like there was more to come and I’m really looking forward to hearing what you have to say!
Thank you all for the positive feedback. These ladies are small examples of the astounding stuff happening in women strength sports on a regular basis.
Lodri…There were two previous articles in this series. I am not sure if that’s what you’re referring to? There will be one more and then I have said me peace on this topic. :)
http://articles.elitefts.com/author/amy-wattles/
Unfortunately even in the few weeks since I wrote these articles, I am seeing a gain in momentum directly by women into the continued socialization and minimization of their own abilities, their roles as strength athletes and as women. People either get it or they don’t.
I know I’m late to the party here, but thanks for posting these videos! Especially WSW 2003. I watched the whole thing and the log c&p between Rosen & Florczyk drove home the point that I really need to push with my legs and not exhaust my shoulders (bad habit I have to just press because I can). Seeing the difference in technique play out in this contest was good for me.
And it was a lot of fun to cheer along! I know this happened almost 10 years ago, but I couldn’t help cheer!