Grinnell College Athletics

Judy Mahle Lutter ’61 exemplifies the Grinnell sprit of equality in sports and wellness. There were no opportunities for women to participate in sports when she was a Grinnell history major. Her Grinnell spouse, on the other hand, was a member of the cross country and track teams; post-college, he continued to run nightly to reduce stress. Judy, seeing these benefits, headed out the door one night for a quick escape from her three kids and graduate studies. She discovered she was a talented runner and her 16th place finish in the 1978 Boston marathon with a time of 2:56:30 would give her a platform to pursue answers to many important questions that had never been asked: Is it healthy to exercise while pregnant? Would exercise help with symptoms of menopause? Could elite runners ever bear children? These questions all deserved answers, and Lutter led the charge. In 1982, she co-founded the Melpomene Institute, with the goal to bring cutting-edge health research to ordinary women and girls, and to develop programs to engage them in leading healthy lives. To this day, the research focuses on expanding knowledge of the link between physical activity and health, and has been a spark of inspiration for countless groups around the world. Lutter’s impact on Grinnell has been inspiring women for over 35 years to be informed about their own health and to empower them to ask questions and seek answers. Since the day she decided to run around the block, Lutter has consistently led her age group in running races, triathlons and cross country ski races. Now that her competitive days are over, she focuses on encouraging women of all ages and abilities to find the joys and benefits of a physically active life. She is, and always will be, a Grinnell Pioneer.