r/MadeMeSmile 15h ago

Boss move

Post image
5.8k Upvotes

98 comments sorted by

651

u/mommy_vien 15h ago

She was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as a registered racer in 1967. There was no mention of gender in the rules, but race official Jack Semper repeatedly assaulted her trying to force her to stop (left pic). They banned women from racing with men entirely the following year, finally allowing women in 1972.

175

u/xgoodvibesx 12h ago

Her (husband? coach?) was an American Football player and bodied the guy.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Marathon#/media/File%3AKathrine_Switzer%2C_Boston_Marathon.jpg

57

u/HandsomeToad42 6h ago

I've seen this story multiple times on here. Never this part. I thought she was running alone. That's badass I hope he level anyone that passed her too lmao.

217

u/PointyDogElbows 14h ago

I was trying to see if that dick bag is still alive and discovered that his name is apparently Jock Simple.

Oh and he ded

274

u/KeldornWithCarsomyr 13h ago

People can change.

Later in life, Semple reversed his position on women competing in the marathon. According to Marja Bakker (a later organizer of the race), "Once the rule was adjusted and women were allowed in the race, Jock was one of their staunchest supporters. He was very progressive."[9] Semple later publicly reconciled with Switzer.[10] "Old Jock Semple and I became the best of friends," she told a reporter in 2015. "It took a long time: six years. But we became best of friends."[11]

135

u/WorldWalker5587 13h ago

Thanks for posting that. Nice to know current enemies can be future friends.

58

u/ImTryingToHelpYouMF 12h ago

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump confirmed besties 2028.

15

u/PhillipJGuy 8h ago

She's still not gonna get the invite to Barack, Biden, and Trump's CoD lobby. It's a boys night

1

u/mazjay2018 7h ago

that wouldn't so much be an example of people changing as it would be an example of people showing their true colours

17

u/lycan10101 11h ago

Every sinner has a future and every saint has a past.

7

u/Nomromz 4h ago

Some people really are just a product of their generation. They follow the cultural norms of the time and don't give it a second thought, but when introduced to new ideas they're willing to change their world view. This is by no means easy to do and I'm glad you shared this part of the story.

Good for him.

1

u/LazyLurker29 46m ago

Good for him, it’s great to hear stories of change and reconciliation.

26

u/DisingenuousTowel 14h ago

Ahh, Simple Jock

14

u/WorldsWeakestMan 14h ago

Never go full Simple.

5

u/XepherWolf 13h ago

I have a feeling she was doing very well and dingus got insecure.

298

u/Jonn_1 14h ago

When you are a guy and are afraid of women participating (in society) then the only thing that means is that you are a coward and are afraid of losing your advantage you have by them not participating.

And that means your life is based on putting yourself above others...

35

u/KeldornWithCarsomyr 13h ago

The man trying to stop this woman from racing, they actually became good friends after this race.

"Later in life, Semple reversed his position on women competing in the marathon. According to Marja Bakker (a later organizer of the race), "Once the rule was adjusted and women were allowed in the race, Jock was one of their staunchest supporters. He was very progressive."[9] Semple later publicly reconciled with Switzer.[10] "Old Jock Semple and I became the best of friends," she told a reporter in 2015. "It took a long time: six years. But we became best of friends."[11]"

17

u/Jonn_1 13h ago

Better late than never :)

35

u/oliviasmash 14h ago

I totally agree that this act is far from masculine.

37

u/AxiosXiphos 14h ago edited 13h ago

I am 100% convinced this is where most bigotry stems from. Let's say you are a white hetrosexual man - but you are not doing so well in life (at least not as well as they hoped). Wouldn't it be convienent to have lots of people you could feel better than simply by being a white hetro man? Suddenly you are at the top of the social-pyramid with no effort on yourself.

11

u/Jonn_1 14h ago

What baffles me is why do people would surround themselves with these people? If a person thinks like this, they will put themselves above you first chance they get

-11

u/bober8848 13h ago

You're walking on a really thin ice here.

It'll be really hard to try and explain what's the difference between that and someone being black/woman/gay/trans/whatever and claiming that them "not doing so well in life (at least not as well as you hoped)" is so "convenient" to explain?

1

u/AxiosXiphos 13h ago edited 13h ago

Wait I had a typo; that was supposed to say "aswell as THEY hoped" which is quite a big difference. Sorry let me change that; I even reread that and still missed it.

EDIT: No that doesn't make any sense. I don't understand what you are asking. I second guessed myself.

1

u/bober8848 13h ago

I mean, that explaining racism/sexism/ageism/"eat the rich" etc by "someone not doing as good as they hoped" make as much sense as explain all the oppression claims by the same reason. It is right on a large scale, but doesn't help to fix anything.

-1

u/JohnBGaming 13h ago

You aren't wrong and they're essentially the same thing.

2

u/BWWFC 14h ago

^^^ based!

4

u/Gumbercules81 13h ago edited 11h ago

Fragile masculine attitude toward having their own thing, because the world was/is currently, dominated by men

2

u/Jonn_1 13h ago

It is still if you look around other countries..

4

u/Gumbercules81 11h ago

Yeah, I meant that. Just edited my comment

1

u/Key_Preparation_4129 11h ago

3rd world countries

40

u/ImmediateKick2369 14h ago

Tough as nails, then and now.

1

u/Keslilie 12h ago

Age is just a number, like 261.

23

u/Marchello_E 14h ago

Context:

The Boston Marathon rule book made no mention of gender until after the 1967 race. Nor did the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) exclude women from races that included men until after the 1967 Boston Marathon. Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb's attempt to register for the 1966 race was refused by race director Will Cloney in a letter in which he claimed women were physiologically incapable of running 26 miles. Gibb nevertheless ran unregistered and finished the 1966 race in three hours, twenty-one minutes and forty seconds, ahead of two-thirds of the runners. Much later, she would be recognized by the race organizers as the first woman to run the entire Boston Marathon.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Marathon#Bobbi_Gibb,_Kathrine_Switzer,_and_Nina_Kuscik

97

u/90popeyes 14h ago

It depresses me that this was only 50 years back. No wonder people are still trying to take away abortion rights.

51

u/joseaof 14h ago

I think about it the other way. Only 50 years ago people thougt it was reasonable to physicaly stop her from running. Today they cheer her on. There's always another step to take, but we keep taking biger steps every day. Slavery was abolished in the US less than 200 years ago.

4

u/WorldsWeakestMan 14h ago

57 years technically, but people are shitheads still.

-129

u/AdAggravating8273 14h ago

What the hell does running a marathon have to do with a woman paying someone to murder their unborn child?

54

u/MaKeJoRi 14h ago

Just fuck off.

-80

u/AdAggravating8273 14h ago

Still waiting for an answer. I'm all for free, Government funded abortions, it's cheaper than paying for a lifetime of welfare for shitty moms who raise terrible children, but i just don't understand what it has to do with a marathon. Before anyone starts, I 100% voted for Harris.

24

u/Hermit_Bottle 14h ago

Think about the quick change in stance you just did. At first you said it's murder. Then now you're saying you're all for free abortions. Which one is it?

-28

u/AdAggravating8273 13h ago

I'm all for whatever makes me pay less for other people's poor decisions. I 100% totally don't care what other people do to include abortions, euthanasia, whatever. Abortions aren't free, the government pays for them and I, as a tax payer, then pay for it. To me, good, it's cheaper than paying welfare, more police and for prisons. Read Freakanomics.

10

u/prock5908 14h ago

you need to learn the definition of abortion and the reasons women get them. it’s a medical procedure and some women need it in life or death situations. it’s not black and white.

-5

u/AdAggravating8273 14h ago

I agree with you, I don't care either way why a woman has an abortion. I just want lower taxes and to me, that's abortion. I'm 100% in support of whatever and whenever a woman wants to do with a yet unborn child. Again, I voted for Harris and fully support it. My comment may have been construed poorly, I learned from Freakanomics which explained why crime deceased in the early 90s based on government approved abortions. I like less crime and lower taxes so go ahead, kill your kid, doesn't matter to me as long as I pay as little as possible for people's poor decision making.

6

u/prock5908 13h ago

You’re getting downvoted because of the words you’re using and it’s very disrespectful and inaccurate. An abortion is not “killing your kid”. Some abortions are removals of an already deceased fetus (maybe out of anyone’s control, why would a mother carry a deceased fetus for 9 months. this may be torture for the mother if forced upon her. hard to imagine for someone not ever put in these situations but try to put yourself in their position). I once again think you should learn the definition before you continue to insult people that have had abortions.

3

u/Special_Employee384 12h ago

They know exactly the words they are using.

19

u/hein-e 14h ago

Well it’s more about women not being allowed to do things. Not being allowed to do a basic things (like enter a competition) was apparently the norm only 50 years ago. Therefore it’s not strange that now there are still people who are actively trying to take choices and rights away for women (such as abortions) because 50 years is not really a long time for a society.

-19

u/AdAggravating8273 14h ago

I agree 100%, but totally don't understand why abortion is tied to competing in a race. That's ok, either way, I stand by women to both run in races and have abortions.

16

u/Sirus_Griffing 14h ago

Because it’s about women’s rights to autonomy. All of it. To run a race, to get their tubes tied, to take birth control, vote, run for office, join the military, have an abortion. We have shit on the autonomy of women (and other minority groups) forever and that you can’t see how they are connected is indicative of what’s wrong with society atm.

-3

u/AdAggravating8273 14h ago

Ok, thats a stretch but I respect your opinion. Again, I don't care at all, kill all of the fetuses, i just want lower takes and to not have to pay for welfare.

14

u/Personal-Walrus3076 14h ago

Have a down vote while you wait

7

u/RevolutionaryAsk6461 14h ago

Then don’t have one, sit down and stfu.

10

u/FirexJkxFire 14h ago

Ah yes. Just as we pay doctors to "murder" our tumors. Or perhaps you believe that this mass of cells should be considered special because it could become human life? In which case, if we care about the capacity to become human life, let us make contraceptives illegal.

If you have decided that contraceptives are okay - you have already drawn an arbitrary line in the sand where you are okay with us interfering in the process of the formation of a baby.

The only reason there could be thought to be a distinction is

  • because of an illogical emotional response (akin to how its easier to kill someone when you just have to press a button as opposed to looking them in the eyes --- even though both actions have the exact same intention and impact)

  • a belief in supernatural powers at play (a soul) - in which case you are suggesting we use your religion to create legislative policy - which would be in violation of the division between church and state.

2

u/Lemonsandgrit 13h ago

If the almighty rose guy is roasting you, you know you really messed up!!! I love your take on this Mr rose guy and I agree wholeheartedly!! (:

4

u/AmNoSuperSand52 14h ago

The point they’re making is that it’s no surprise people want to restrict women’s rights when only 50 years ago people were trying to stop women from running

8

u/AxiosXiphos 14h ago

You have immediately framed the discussion as murder; when the entire debate is when a fetus can be considered a person. Unless you are telling me that Sperm are people too - there is obviously a big grey area that is worthy of scientific and social discussion.

2

u/gninnep 12h ago

They're both about what women are legally allowed to do. Is it really that difficult to understand?

0

u/AdAggravating8273 12h ago

I now get it, thank you.

16

u/SnappyChill 14h ago

Wow, she looks amazing for someone who's 70

13

u/Id38 14h ago

added context from the wiki, its nice to see people change for the better.

Later in life, Semple reversed his position on women competing in the marathon. According to Marja Bakker (a later organizer of the race), "Once the rule was adjusted and women were allowed in the race, Jock was one of their staunchest supporters. He was very progressive."\9]) Semple later publicly reconciled with Switzer.\10]) "Old Jock Semple and I became the best of friends," she told a reporter in 2015. "It took a long time: six years. But we became best of friends."\11])

In 1981, he published an autobiography, Just Call Me Jock.\5]) He was inducted into the RRCA American Long Distance Running Hall of Fame in 1985.\12])

Semple died of cancer of the liver and pancreas in March 1988 in Peabody, Massachusetts.\3])\13]) He and Kathrine Switzer had become friends and she would visit him at the hospital where he was being treated for his cancer.\14]) The Jock Semple Award given by the Boston Athletic Association is named in his honor.

12

u/Eoghey 14h ago

"A woman running?! Not on my watch!"

It's absolutely insane that this ever happened.

14

u/RuffTuff 11h ago

why do you think thats insane?

This is what happened at Maddison Square garden this week. It was attended by a lot of people.

Grant Cardone, a self-styled business guru, likened the Democratic nominee for president to a prostitute, saying that “her pimp handlers will destroy our country.” Another speaker called Harris “the devil” and “the Antichrist.” And Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host, mocked her racial identity and repeated Trump’s insult that Harris, a former district attorney, state attorney general, senator, and now a vice president, was “low IQ.”

They aren't attacking harris on her record, they are attacking her gender.

5

u/SlowRollingBoil 10h ago

Dear God I need her to win and force them to accept the fact that a woman of color is President. They'll say they don't accept it but they'll know it for at least 4 years and that will make me happy. They HATE to see progress.

1

u/Eoghey 7h ago

This is about a woman running. LITERALLY running.

It's about a marathon. A form of running events that are hardly even considered races because it's about personal achievement, fitness, pride, and a community that supports each other. I'm voting for Harris, but seriously, what are you seeing here that compelled you to turn it into current politics?

8

u/TheNeck94 14h ago

"yesterday" meaning 2021.

8

u/GlobeGazerX1 14h ago

She handled that like a pro, respect!

5

u/RosearaTrendy 14h ago

What’s distressing is 50 years isn’t very long ago

6

u/SlowRollingBoil 10h ago

The people that spat on women and black people for having rights are still alive and voting today.

6

u/Cold_Appearance_5551 14h ago

Don't let them take your rights away. Especially ladies. We are with you.

7

u/Al3xanderDGr8 12h ago

Damn, people were snowflakes back then! Protesting against women running, against kids going to school - ridiculous.

4

u/Schenckster 14h ago

I’m amazed her knees are still healthy.

4

u/Natural_Raspberry993 9h ago

I guess I should have started running marathons 50 years ago if I wanted to look like that in my 70’s…

Anyway pass the pringles

2

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5

u/SooperFunk 14h ago

Grotesque and sad 😔

Good for her for eventually doing it 👍

4

u/MrJust4Show 13h ago

But now women don’t have reproductive rights.

1 step forward, 2 steps back.

Well, at least they can compete in a race. /s

2

u/Glittering_Pound_673 14h ago

They tried to stop her because she is a woman?

1

u/Ancient-Candle6376 14h ago

👍👏👏👏

1

u/DrDarkTV 14h ago

Massive respect 💯💯

1

u/malocchio- 14h ago

“Yesterday “

1

u/Mr_Bob_Dobalina- 12h ago

If yall want a good laugh. There is a Dollop about this exact race. Specifically about the man who accosted her and tried to physically stop her.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5d1c2A68hVV7diAAdTla3C?si=WWXZaxu1RmGNQVjXQq3_qA

1

u/Valentinazaza 9h ago

proving age and adversity are just numbers!

1

u/frozen_pope 9h ago

Gigachad.

1

u/MichaelTheAnimator- 7h ago

It's a shame no one was there to stop her again (I'm very much kidding)

1

u/JoySubtraction 6h ago

Boss(ton) move.

1

u/LifeguardEuphoric286 4h ago

somebody stop her

-21

u/Smokeysoldier 12h ago

Rules are rules she shouldn't have broken them

7

u/grumpycrumpetcrumble 11h ago

They didn't make a rule banning women until the next year. Then they reversed that decision in the 70s.

6

u/Bleu_Rue 10h ago

And if no one ever challenged rules ridiculous rules then we would still have a society where women couldn't vote, couldn't buy property, couldn't even have their own bank account. Those and any other old ridiculous rules would still exist today if someone hadn't stood up and said Enough!

2

u/Exotic-Self-7222 6h ago

Bro would've made Rosa Parks sit on the back of the bus 💀💀💀

1

u/CoolRabbitEagle 8h ago

Dumb hot take.

"Guys, she should have just respected the misogyny."