Women's Rowing Journal - Chrissy Friedlander
11/9/2006 7:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Nov. 9, 2006
What exactly is so riveting about a muscular brunette in dungarees?
During our first intrasquad meet with the varsity team last Saturday, Sarah, a fellow novice rower who was in the five-seat behind me, pointed out how inspirational our team shirts are while rowing. While some boats wowed us with their blindingly neon t-shirts and competitive swimsuits, our awesome boat - so aptly named Team Destroyer! - chose to take the more intimidating route of full-length spandex and our "We Can Do It!" Women's Rowing t-shirts.
In case you haven't seen them, our shirts star Rosie the Riveter, a pop icon of the 1940's who was used to inspire women to join the workforce during World War II. Rosie was known for her unwavering patriotism, her `go-get-em' mentality, and those bulging biceps of hers that would put most body builders to shame. Over time, she evolved into one of the greatest symbols of what women can achieve. You Can Do It!, Rosie proclaims as she flexes, no matter who you are.
Many of us novices were initially drawn to Rosie's inspiring words on advertisements for the fall rowing informational session. Throughout the meeting, it was obvious that the coaches themselves were just as inspirational as the words Rosie spoke. The coaches were more than enthusiastic and passionate about the sport of rowing, and encouraged us to give the sport a shot. Our novice coaches - Julie, Kate, and Jess - would continue to encourage us through our many awkward firsts of rowing: first blisters, first spandex wedgies, and first rowing in all eights. Throughout all of our initial awkward moments, they would continue to display great patience and maintain a positive outlook on our progress.
The coaches' enthusiasm was certainly contagious. As teammates, we got to know each other better and better as we began to endure through our many (painful) firsts together as inexperienced rowers. We soon learned what motivated each other as well as ourselves, what drove us to sprint through those rounds of stadiums and finish off strong during the last five minutes of those twenty minute erg tests. Even when the Head of the Schuylkill - the pinnacle of Fall Crew - was cancelled due to inclement weather, we consoled one another and remained upbeat. Each and every one of us trained for this race, and challenged ourselves to the extreme. We knew we could do it, but perhaps the affirmation of a big race would have to be postponed. We could channel such disappointment into extra reps and effort at winter conditioning practices in preparation for our spring races.
As Team Destroyer sat at the finish, ready to row, I kept my eye on the Rosie the Riveter in front of me. With every drop of the oar, I knew we could do it. With every call for more leg pressure, I knew we could do it. With every bead of sweat, with every power 10, with every ache and pain and aerobic distress we experienced, we knew we could do it. Perhaps why we are so intrigued by Rosie the Riveter is because we ourselves are modern embodiments of dear Rosie; powerful women that prove everyday that we can accomplish anything we set our minds, bodies, and hearts to.
- Chrissy Friedlander `09