For most of its history, rowing has been a male dominated sport.
“Gondoliers and sailors have made the history of the Republic of Venice, but do you know who transported goods, food and materials along the canals? Women. They’ve been very strong at the oars since 1500“
Despite its male domination, women’s competitive rowing can be traced back to the early 19th century, and an image of a women’s double scull race made the cover of Harper’s Weekly in 1870. Wellesley College in Massachusetts was the first school to organize a competitive rowing team for women in the late 19th century.