Ramabai Ranveer, a widowed mother, was 47 when she signed up for a three-kilometer race in Maharashtra, India. She had no experience, and her running shoes began slipping before she reached the finish line.
She took them off, adjusted her sari, and continued barefoot. In the 30-to-60 age group, she outran the others and won. The prize was 31 dollars. She wanted to use it to buy books and school supplies for her daughter.
The decision began at home. Her daughter Pooja told her about the race, and she thought about taking part to help her younger daughter, since she had not been able to send her money to buy books. So she decided to run and win.
Since her husband’s death in 2012, Ramabai had worked picking soybeans, chickpeas, and turmeric in other people’s fields; she also cooked at a police academy. She left school at 13 and wanted her daughters to be able to study.
“I did whatever work I could find. I believe that as long as I am alive, I must do everything I can to give my daughters a good education”, she said. Ramabai’s race attracted attention in India and added to the discussion about education and opportunities.
Ramabai won a race. But she has been running for her daughters’ future for years.
— Sabores
