This bonus episode is brought to you by Mercedes-Benz. From a company built on the legacy, determination and inspiration of women, Mercedes-Benz and Encyclopedia Wommanica celebrate those driving change. All month, we’re talking about women in the driver's seat. Every Saturday this month we are sharing the stories of women who defied the odds to change the auto industry forever. Every Saturday this month we are sharing the stories of women who defied the odds to change the auto industry forever. Today, we’re highlighting an unexpected champion. She shattered expectations when she won one of the world’s most difficult races, becoming a role model and proving there are no limits to what anyone can accomplish. Meet Ewy Rosqvist.
Happy Women's History Month! We're highlighting leaders who took charge and made lasting impacts on their industries.
This Women’s History Month, Encyclopedia Womannica is brought to you by Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz celebrates all women driving change and is indebted to those trailblazing women who punctuate the brand’s history like Bertha Benz and Ewy Rosquist. These women defied the odds to change the auto industry forever and Mercedes-Benz applauds the tenacity and courage it takes to pave the road ahead. Listen along this month as we share the stories of more inspiring women in charge and at the top of their fields — powered by Mercedes-Benz.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know -- but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Leading Ladies, Activists, STEMinists, Local Legends, and many more. Encyclopedia Womannica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Encyclopedia Womannica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Liz Smith, Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, and Brittany Martinez. Special thanks to Shira Atkins, Edie Allard, and Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, and Ale Tejeda.
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Hello, from Wonder Media Network, I’m Jenny Kaplan and this is Encyclopedia Womannica.
This bonus episode is brought to you by Mercedes-Benz. Every Saturday this month we are sharing the stories of women who defied the odds to change the auto industry forever. Today, we’re highlighting an unexpected champion. She shattered expectations when she won one of the world’s most difficult races,becoming a role model and proving there are no limits to what anyone can accomplish. Meet Ewy Rosqvist.
Ewy Jonsson was born August 3rd, 1929 to a farming family outside of Ystad, Sweden. Ewy attended an agricultural school before becoming a veterinary assistant. Her work in that role required her to drive to several farms a day on long, poorly built roads. This necessity sparked Ewy’s interest in driving, and driving fast. She would record the time it took to get from farm to farm in her Mercedes-Benz 170 S.
Ewy married the engineer and motor sport enthusiast, Yngve Rosqvist, who gave her a taste for rallying as a sport. In 1954, the pair competed in their first race, the Rally to the Midnight Sun. Not long after, Ewy decided to try out the driver’s seat and began competing as well.
Ewy became one of Europe’s best female drivers. In 1959, she won the European Rally Championship Women’s Cup. Two years later, her contract was bought by Mercedes-Benz, launching Ewy’s international career.
In 1962, Mercedes-Benz sent a total of four work teams to Argentina for the Argentine Tourismo Standard Grand Prix. Ewy, driving a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE, and her partner were the only two women competing in the gruelling race.
Before the race even began, the press mocked the notion of two women embarking on a marathon rally though Argentina. But the ridicule was silenced when Ewy and her partner, Ursula Wirth, won the first stage of the Grand Prix. When the duo also won the second round, the press celebrated the accomplishment.
A German language paper published in Buenos Aires said “It was not the Cuban missile crisis, but rather the two blondes from Scandinavia who dominated the headlines in the country’s daily newspapers.”
Ewy and Urusla won all six stages of the race and set a new race record. The women crossed the finish line at a speed of about 127 kilometers per hour, or about 79 miles per hour. They finished three hours before the second place car.
Ewy and Ursula’s victory was the second win in a row for Mercedes-Benz at the Argentine Tourismo Standard Grand Prix
The next year Ewy and Ursula finished in third place. The year after that, Ewy finished in third again, this time alongside Eva-Maria Falk.
Ewy stopped racing after Mercedes-Benz disbanded their factory rally team in 1965. She received an offer to drive for another company but declined. She finished her career without accidents, crashes or broken cars. Ewy’s trophies and race cars are displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, where she worked for many years as a guide. She also worked as a test driver for new Mercedes-Benz models.
At the age of 91, Ewy currently resides in Stockholm.
Ewy’s historic win at the 1962 Grand Prix shattered records and stereotypes. We applaud her determination and passion for racing. She pushed the sport forward and broke barriers. They said she couldn’t finish the Grand Prix, so she showed them all and finished first. Mercedes-Benz and Encyclopedia Wommanica celebrate those with no limits.
All month, we’re talking about women in the driver's seat.
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Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
Talk to you on Monday!