Her Impact
Her achievement led to a worldwide triumph for women all around. Tabei was the beacon for women to reach far and beyond their homes to be more than housewives. During this time, women’s economic empowerment has been an international priority for many years, but the year she achieved her summit, 1975 was the first year for “International Women’s Year” by the United Nations to help more women like Junko realize their potential to do greater things. She symbolized progress made by Japanese women to pursue independence and equality. Especially in the 1970s when more women joined the work force more than ever before.
Junko Tabei: “Near the time of our climb, the United Nations declared 1975 as International Women’s Year at a world conference held in Mexico City. I heard afterwards that the audience at the conference surged with applause when news of the first female success on Everest was reported. Whether I wanted it to be or not, our climb became a symbol of women’s social progress.
To climb Mount Everest, “required defying stereotypes and a supportive husband in a country that thought a woman’s place was in the home”.
credit: Kydo News
credit: Adventure Women
Newspaper by The Daniville Register (Danville, Virginia)
credit: The Danville Register
