UW Women Christen New Shell, 'Title IX Sisterhood'
May 04, 2018 | Women's Rowing
Washington's women's rowing team christened its newest eight-oared racing shell – Title IX Sisterhood – on the eve of the 32nd annual Windermere Cup Friday night on the docks at Conibear Shellhouse.
The UW men's and women's teams and a group of 1970s-era alumnae gathered for the traditional UW shell dedication ceremony, with water from the Montlake Cut finish line poured on to the shell (poured this time from the 2017 NCAA championship trophy) and an inaugural row from the varsity eight crew. The Washington women will row in the new boat Saturday against the Dutch National Team in the Windermere Cup.
The new Empacher racing shell – and its name – were donated by a group of alumnae who began the Washington women's program in the 1970s. What they started has grown into one of the most successful rowing programs in the country, with seven national titles in the 1980s and, more recently, four NCAA crowns.
"Recently the women rowers from the 1970s have started to gather at reunions in greater numbers, especially with the start of the Women's Alumnae Brunch the last few years," said Linda Cox Fornaciari '78, who helped spearhead the project of fundraising for the new shell. "Personally, six of my teammates and I have been getting together once or twice a year for 40 years. Rowing at Washington has always created incredible bonds in the boat; it is the essence of crew. But the bonds that we women forged in the '70s are particularly strong. We were the ones who began the new era of Washington women's crew as a varsity team, and faced initial resistance even as we challenged ourselves to the utmost and won championships."
In the early days, the women faced an uphill climb for acceptance in a world of college athletics that had only just begun to open itself to top-level women's sports. They rowed in hand-me-down shells and struggled to earn the respect they were due.
"Rowing in those early years, out of the old canoe house in the World War II era fours, and with the vision of our coaches Paula Mitchell and Colleen Lynch, we pushed the envelope of Title IX in 1973 and the university recognized those accomplishments with an invitation to row out of Conibear," recalled BJ Connolly '76, another of the leaders of the effort to fund this shell. "The 70s women embraced the challenge and now looking back, I don't think we really were fully aware, at that time, of the history we were making. We simply wanted to row for Washington. To see these current women competing at the next level is as inspirational to us today as we are hopefully, to them."
Once the group of alumnae who arranged for this shell's donation had finished that portion, next was coming up with a suitable name. Fornaciari explains:
"Our group of teammates engaged in a vibrant discussion about the name for the boat, starting with over 50 suggestions," she explained. "It became essential to have 'Title IX' in the name, since that was transformative for our team and women in the '70's. After many emails and votes, it came down to two names that really resonated with us: 'Title IX Tenacity', since tenacity is a quality that described us and describes the team today.
"But we chose the name 'Title IX Sisterhood," she continued, "because of the importance of the bond we shared that we know continues today in the team. We want these incredible women to feel the strong spirit of the women of the '70's carrying them forward in the boat and in all that they do, as part of the rowing sisterhood that we share."
Connolly concurs with her former teammate.
"We all share that common sisterhood that is unique to Washington and this new racing shell will continue that bond," she said. "We are so excited to see them creating their own history as they row and race in this beautiful shell and remembering they are not alone; our collective 70's spirit of tenacity and courage will be along with them for the ride.
"May the 'Title IX Sisterhood' be swift and fast," Connolly added, "and may she feel the rhythm and swing of these strong women over quiet waters as they carry on the Husky tradition of excellence. Go Dawgs!"
The UW men's and women's teams and a group of 1970s-era alumnae gathered for the traditional UW shell dedication ceremony, with water from the Montlake Cut finish line poured on to the shell (poured this time from the 2017 NCAA championship trophy) and an inaugural row from the varsity eight crew. The Washington women will row in the new boat Saturday against the Dutch National Team in the Windermere Cup.
The new Empacher racing shell – and its name – were donated by a group of alumnae who began the Washington women's program in the 1970s. What they started has grown into one of the most successful rowing programs in the country, with seven national titles in the 1980s and, more recently, four NCAA crowns.
"Recently the women rowers from the 1970s have started to gather at reunions in greater numbers, especially with the start of the Women's Alumnae Brunch the last few years," said Linda Cox Fornaciari '78, who helped spearhead the project of fundraising for the new shell. "Personally, six of my teammates and I have been getting together once or twice a year for 40 years. Rowing at Washington has always created incredible bonds in the boat; it is the essence of crew. But the bonds that we women forged in the '70s are particularly strong. We were the ones who began the new era of Washington women's crew as a varsity team, and faced initial resistance even as we challenged ourselves to the utmost and won championships."
In the early days, the women faced an uphill climb for acceptance in a world of college athletics that had only just begun to open itself to top-level women's sports. They rowed in hand-me-down shells and struggled to earn the respect they were due.
"Rowing in those early years, out of the old canoe house in the World War II era fours, and with the vision of our coaches Paula Mitchell and Colleen Lynch, we pushed the envelope of Title IX in 1973 and the university recognized those accomplishments with an invitation to row out of Conibear," recalled BJ Connolly '76, another of the leaders of the effort to fund this shell. "The 70s women embraced the challenge and now looking back, I don't think we really were fully aware, at that time, of the history we were making. We simply wanted to row for Washington. To see these current women competing at the next level is as inspirational to us today as we are hopefully, to them."
Once the group of alumnae who arranged for this shell's donation had finished that portion, next was coming up with a suitable name. Fornaciari explains:
"Our group of teammates engaged in a vibrant discussion about the name for the boat, starting with over 50 suggestions," she explained. "It became essential to have 'Title IX' in the name, since that was transformative for our team and women in the '70's. After many emails and votes, it came down to two names that really resonated with us: 'Title IX Tenacity', since tenacity is a quality that described us and describes the team today.
"But we chose the name 'Title IX Sisterhood," she continued, "because of the importance of the bond we shared that we know continues today in the team. We want these incredible women to feel the strong spirit of the women of the '70's carrying them forward in the boat and in all that they do, as part of the rowing sisterhood that we share."
Connolly concurs with her former teammate.
"We all share that common sisterhood that is unique to Washington and this new racing shell will continue that bond," she said. "We are so excited to see them creating their own history as they row and race in this beautiful shell and remembering they are not alone; our collective 70's spirit of tenacity and courage will be along with them for the ride.
"May the 'Title IX Sisterhood' be swift and fast," Connolly added, "and may she feel the rhythm and swing of these strong women over quiet waters as they carry on the Husky tradition of excellence. Go Dawgs!"
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