Senate Resolution No. 2544

BY: Senator BONACIC

COMMENDING Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to
enter the Boston Marathon, upon the occasion of
having her bib No. 261 retired in her honor by the
Boston Athletic Association

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those women of achievement within the Empire State who
have made strong contributions to their communities and who inspire
others through their model citizenship; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to enter the Boston Marathon,
upon the occasion of having her bib No. 261 retired in her honor by the
Boston Athletic Association, celebrated on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at
Marathon Sports, Boston, Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, The Boston Marathon Association will no longer assign bib
No. 261, making Kathrine Switzer only the second individual to have a
number retired in the race's 121-year history; one day prior to this
momentous occasion on Monday, April 17, 2017, Kathrine Switzer once
again completed the 26.2-mile course on the 50th Anniversary of her
landmark performance; and

WHEREAS, Kathrine Switzer was a 20-year-old student at Syracuse
University when she entered the men-only Boston Marathon in 1967, using
her initials on the registration form; and

WHEREAS, During the race, an official tried to push Kathrine Switzer
off course, tearing a corner from her bib; pictures splashed across
newspaper front pages, and she became a symbol of the women's movement;
and

WHEREAS, After the infamous race, Kathrine Switzer went to work in
PR and helped create the Avon International Running Circuit of 400
women's races, which was instrumental in the Olympics adding a women's
marathon in 1984; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, Kathrine Switzer was inducted into the National
Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York, where it is quoted,
"Well-behaved women seldom make history"; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes that New York State is the
home to countless women who are strong and colorful threads, vital to
the fabric of our rich heritage, who have contributed, and continue to
add to the advancement of our culture through their traditional and
non-traditional roles in society; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to enter the Boston Marathon,
upon the occasion of having her bib No. 261 retired in her honor by the
Boston Athletic Association; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kathrine Switzer.