[S3] Ep. 19 - Kathy Frederick: Founder of Row for the Cure

Sep 16

Kathy in bow, with her husband of 52 years, who she calls her “permanent mixed double partner.”

Like many women who grew up before Title IX, Kathy Frederick spent her young life studying ballet. When, at 42, she learned to row it felt like dancing with partners and she was immediately hooked. Just a few years later in 1993, the loss of a dear friend to a women’s cancer prompted Kathy to host a fundraising event on Portland, Oregon’s Willamette River. From those modest beginnings Row for the Cure was born.

Kathy opens up about:

finding her competitive drive
rowing with her husband, her “permanent mixed double partner”
becoming a rower with a mission
Advice for first-time regatta planners

GUESTS
Kathy Frederick
www.rowforthecure.org

Facebook: /RowForTheCure
Instagram: @rowforthecure
Twitter: @RowCure

TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Welcome
02:18 - Rapid Fire Q&A
04:05 - A childhood ballet foundation taught Kathy to value the importance of technique
06:33 - Learning to row/finding a competitive drive in mid-life
08:30 - Rowing with her husband, her “permanent doubles partner,” and coxing out of Station L & Portland Rowing Club
15:09 - Inspiration for founding Row for the Cure
16:59 - How party planning and helping raise her younger siblings prepped Kathy for setting up the first Row for the Cure event
19:08 - Row for the Cure making an impact in communities across the country
21:00 - Seattle’s extravagant Row for the Cure
26:50 - Top 3 pieces of advice for first-time regatta hosts
29:20 - Row for the Cure’s COVID-19 pivot
33:48 - October is Breast Cancer Awareness month; and the time Kathy met Napoleon Griffin, advocate for male breast cancer awareness
34:59 - Ideas for hosting your own Row for the Cure event
37:20 - Pink the Boathouse in October for breast cancer awareness month.
38:25 - Favorite coxing commands: tiaras, pearls, the Queen!

This episode was made possible in part by our Patrons, Concept2, and Lake Washington Rowing Club.
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