This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bowdoin chapter.
This past weekend Bowdoin toasted “40 Years of Women’s Athletics” as part of the yearlong 40th anniversary celebration of women’s matriculation at the college.
By far the most recognized female athlete to pass through Bowdoin is Joan Benoit Samuelson.
Known to her family, friends, and the world as simply “Joanie,” Joan Benoit Samuelson (Bowdoin ’79) won the first women’s Olympic marathon (and America’s heart) on August 5, 1984. She was also the first woman to cross the finish line in the Boston marathon of 1979, while still a student, proudly wearing a Bowdoin tank top.
Nike’s new documentary “There is No Finish Line: The Joan Benoit Samuelson Story” was shown at Bowdoin over the weekend.
Check out the trailer here: