Janet Guthrie

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“Racing is a matter of spirit, not strength.” This is how Janet Guthrie felt about racing, and life for that matter. She believed that it is not in physical strength that you can win, but in the strength of your spirit. Many men thought that women could accomplish nothing compared to what they could. They believed they were far superior to women, and could outdo them in anything. Janet Guthrie, thoroughly strong in her spirit, proved them wrong.

Janet Guthrie was born on March 7, 1938, in Iowa City, Iowa. Her family moved when she was only three. Miami, Florida would then be their new home. When in her elementary years, she went to Miss Harris’ Florida School for Girls, and also attended the school for most of her high school years. After graduating from high school in 1960, she went to the University of Michigan, where she received a degree in physics.

Later on, she joined Republic Aviation in New York. She worked there as an engineer. She even worked on programs related to Project Apollo. After many years of working for Republic Aviation, she purchased a Jaguar XK 120 coupe for small races. Later, she purchased a Jaguar XK 140 coupe for competitions on higher levels. By 1972, her physics career was slowly ending, and her racing career was just beginning. She was the first woman to compete in the NASCAR Winston Cup, and the first to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. She finished ninth in the Indy 500, and was very proud of it too. She inspired many women to try the sport as well. She showed people that women could do anything men could do, and could even be good at it. She wasn’t afraid of being made fun of, or being teased that she was a woman racer. She just went out there and showed everyone that she was an awesome racer, and was capable of anything.

Janet Guthrie has inspired me in many ways. One way that she has inspired me is to never give up. She was determined to race even though the odds were against her. Another way she has inspired me is to follow my dreams. She wanted to race, and that’s what she did, even though people never believed she could do it. These lessons that she has taught me will help me to be determined to follow my dreams, and believe that I can do anything.

Janet Guthrie is by far my biggest hero. She overcame many obstacles in order to do what she really wanted to do. She ignored teasing and taunting to prove her point that women can do anything men can, by winning races and qualifying in major events. She has taught me many lessons in not giving up, and being determined to do what I want. This is why Janet Guthrie is my hero.