The Myths Around Strength

By Ewa Kopczynska (4equality Erasmus+ Project)

Despite increasing pressure to improve gender equality and multiple initiatives to fight gender biases, the general preconception still associates women with the ‘weaker sex.’ This often contributes to girls feeling less capable of pursuing many traditionally male-dominated activities. It is also frequently used by society and individuals to excuse biased behavior against women, preventing them from engaging in professional or recreational activities labeled as “male ones.”

But are women actually weaker than men?

Image by freepik

While in specific categories the “average woman” can be “weaker” than the average man—with research reporting that the muscle strength of equally trained female athletes is in the range of 40 to 75% of that of men[1]—each of us is unique, and the “average person” is a non-existent archetype. In fact, women are often the stronger sex in categories such as longevity, resistance to illness, and coping with trauma[2].

Despite this, the popular recognition of women as the ‘weaker sex’ is a harsh generalization, often used to excuse discrimination. Women are frequently judged based on the mythical concept of the “average woman” rather than on individual capacities and achievements. This attitude ignores not only scientific findings but also the incredible achievements of outstanding women, many of whom have not only equaled but also outperformed men.

One such trailblazer was the highly determined swimmer Gertrude Caroline Ederle (1905–2003), who refused to let discrimination hold her back. In 1926, she made history as the first woman to swim across the English Channel—a challenge that was widely believed to be something only men could handle. Swimming the Channel is an epic achievement, as it involves not just distance but also freezing cold water, powerful tides, and unpredictable weather that make the journey extremely challenging. By the time Gertrude took on the challenge, only five people in history had successfully completed the swim, all of them men.

At the time, many doubted women’s ability to accomplish such grueling feats. When Gertrude’s first attempt didn’t succeed, critics were quick to say she’d never make it. But instead of giving up, she trained even harder, invented a special swimming stroke, and designed a swimsuit that helped her endure the freezing water. On August 6, 1926, she crushed it—swimming 21 miles in 14 hours and 34 minutes, beating the best male record by nearly two hours (1 hour 59 minutes)! Despite rough seas, which extended her swim to about 35 miles (56 km), she still smashed the previous record[3].

Her achievement was a game-changer, proving that women can excel in any challenge they set their minds to. When she returned to the U.S., Gertrude was treated like a superstar. New York City honored her with an epic ticker-tape parade on August 27, 1926, down Broadway. Over two million people came out to celebrate her, making it the largest and most extravagant parade ever held for a sportsperson at the time[4]. It was also the first time a woman athlete had been honored in such a grand way, marking a cultural shift in recognizing women’s achievements. Gertrude became a symbol of strength and determination, inspiring countless others to dream big and break barriers.

Gertrude Ederle faced significant gender discrimination throughout her journey as an athlete, stemming from widespread beliefs in the early 20th century that women were physically and mentally incapable of excelling in endurance sports or achieving feats on par with men. Her achievement was extreme on its own merits, but it was even more impressive considering the lack of support and resources she faced, as well as the broad dismissal of her ambitions—even from members of her own support team, which contributed to her initial failure.

Are you questioning whether, as a woman, you have what it takes to compete with male colleagues? Gertrude’s story reminds us that real strength lies not in meeting external expectations but in overcoming them. Your true power is in how you respond to challenges and limitations, and it’s entirely within your domain to decide how much effort and determination you devote to reaching what truly matters to you.

[1] Bartolomei S, Grillone G, Di Michele R, Cortesi M. A Comparison between Male and Female Athletes in Relative Strength and Power Performances. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021 Feb 9;6(1):17. doi: 10.3390/jfmk6010017. PMID: 33572280; PMCID: PMC7930971.

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/11/the-weaker-sex-science-that-shows-women-are-stronger-than-men

[3] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gertrude-Ederle

[4] Ibidem