hmmm
The “Women’s Panel” was scheduled very first thing in the morning — not exactly prime time.
Female athletes are still second class citizens in elite adventure sport, so far as I can see.
Yet their accomplishments speak for themselves. Mrs. Dean Potter:
Steph Davis is a record-setting free climber. She has made first ascents in Patagonia, Baffin Island, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan. In 2001, Davis became the first U.S. woman to summit 3,375-metre Fitz Roy in Patagonia. In 2004, she made the fastest female free ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite, and returned to El Cap the following year to become the first woman to free climb its Salathé Wall (VI 5.13b/c). For Davis, it was the dream of a lifetime.
…
The athletes (including climbers Steph Davis, Nancy Hansen, Araceli Segarra, and Kira Salak) debated whether even appearing on a “Women’s Panel” was somehow offensive. Part of the problem.
They debated whether “first female ascent” was a backhanded compliment. Or valid.
None had primary role models as young women. They had to be very independent. Trail breakers.
We still have a long way to go until we achieve parity.
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