Biography:
Mary Shields is a pioneer in women’s dogsledding, best known as the first woman to complete the Iditarod, a historic 1,000-mile dog sled race between Anchorage and Nome, Alaska. Born in Wisconsin, Shields discovered her love for Alaska while working for Campfire Girls and decided to move there in 1965.
In Alaska, Shields worked as a waitress and utilized the food scraps from her job to feed her dogs. Living mostly alone, she dedicated herself to training and preparing for the challenges of the wild and arduous Iditarod race. Shields formed a strong bond with her competitor, Lolly Medley, who also finished the Iditarod shortly after Shields in 1974.
During the race, Shields faced both physical and psychological obstacles. At checkpoints, men were often betting when she would drop out, while women were betting on her success. This only fueled her determination to become the first woman to complete the Iditarod, proving that gender did not determine one’s capabilities. After 29 days of perseverance, Shields successfully finished the race and secured 23rd place.
Shields’ historic achievement had a significant impact on women in sports. Her accomplishment inspired and motivated more women to take on the challenging and exhausting Iditarod race, breaking gender barriers in a previously male-dominated field. Throughout her life, Shields remained an active presence in the Iditarod community, delivering speeches about her journey and acting as a source of inspiration for aspiring female mushers.
In addition to her contributions to dogsledding, Shields operates her own kennel and offers tours of her home and kennel, sharing her love and knowledge of dog sledding with enthusiasts. She has also authored five books, including Small Wonders: Year-Round Alaska and The Alaskan Happy Dog Trilogy.
Awards:
– Women Who Dared Gratitude Award for daring to take on the Iditarod