March 8th, 1915
She woke up to the pale-gold early Spring rays framing her face. The tunes of zephyr streaming into her room filled her with rare excitement.
Finally, the day has arrived. So, this is going to be….
“Janet! Hurry! We’ll be late.”
Her mother’s sharp voice cut through her thoughts like a sharp-edged knife.
Yet, she stood long, before the capsule-shaped mirror in her modest bedroom.
No, she was not admiring herself. She was trying to see if her chest puffed up with the same confidence she had when she planned to launch a new era in women’s swimming years ago.
“I am happy I chose Women’s Day for this momentous endeavour. My store hosts an exclusive collection of cotton one-piece swim suits.” she beamed as she addressed the Press.
“I admire your talent. But, Madam Janet, isn’t this idea preposterous? I mean, when swimming for women is by itself a rare sport ….”
10th September 1905
The Dairy Mirror headlines read:
A Female Swimming Star Is Born
Janet Savor is only woman to have finished third in a race down the Siene. Her remarkable victory comes after a tough fight she gave to a rare disease that affected her legs at the age of six. She continued rigorous swimming with painful leg braces and mastered most of the strokes by thirteen. She swam the Thames and made an attempt to swim the English Channel as well.
She folded the newspaper and placed it carefully on the table. From a child who feared the sight of water, she had come a long way. Swimming wasn’t just a sport, it had become her identity. With each stroke, she pushed her past a little away from her.
Water, wasn’t just a healer. It was her stage. The tides created an urgency in her. To perform, to excel.
But today, the blooming colours of happiness and success failed to touch her eyes.
Well, I don’t see my goal in sight, which is…..
12th June 1906
“Gosh! Lincy! I am unable to swim in this. It’s stifling.” Janet held the heavy pantaloons up, frustration etched in every crease on her face.
Her coach sighed, helplessly. “Darling, you are a star. You, or any woman for that matter, can’t cross decency limits. That’s the rule. Only a handful of women are tied to this sport. You are on a race with men.”
Some of the words stayed with Janet.
Race with men.
Decency.
A few months later, as she swam heavily in the full-length costume, a bold idea sprung from the deep waters.
“ I think she’s quite a sensation. I absolutely adore her confidence and ease.”
“ I am amazed how she has bent the costume rule to suit women swimmers.”
The hushed adoration from nooks and corners kept pouring in. She had done the unthinkable by swimming across the English Channel in a one-piece bathing suit made by stitching black stockings into a boy’s costume.
On many occasions, the silence of her fellow mates prodded her to change certain definitions.
Now, my goal is in sight.
15th April 1907
“Grace, did you hear?” Fredrick called out to his wife in desperation. “My little girl Janet is arrested!”
“Dear God!
For what, Fredrick?”
Grace and Fredrick rushed to Fairhill police station in Boston.
“ Sir, she was performing an act at the Revere beach in her one-piece bathing suit. I know she is a champion but this is quite scandalous,” the Police Commissioner, Tom Cox, was firm.
“But, she has committed no crime. This is absurd.” Fredrick burst out.
“Sir, this isn’t allowed. The court has to decide on her release.”
And the prison doors closed in on her.
March 8th, 1915
“ I understand, Sir. ‘Being You’, my swimwear line, is not just a business or a step to change women’s wear. After my release, I was able to bring my ideas to fruition. It is a future I gifted myself which I was told to postpone. And this is something I wish to gift every woman. I would be happy to see more women, who have tucked away their passion for the sport, make swift strokes to success in the new costume.
Doors may close in, waters can be deep, paths may be treacherous, but a little change can help women breathe free.”
The heavens resounded with the thunderous applause as she cut the ribbons.
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This is a submission for Artoonsinn Inntales 3. The prompt is- ‘On Women’s Day, she gifted herself the future she was told to postpone.
Author’s Note: My story is based on Annette Kellermen, who became the first female swimmer for Australia in 1905. The links to her life and achievements can be read from the links given in the glossary. I have added a few fictional names and incidents to suit the prompt. Any reference to a real person or event is unintentional.
Glossary:
https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kellermann-annette-marie-6911
