11/02/2025
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BJJEa762K/?mibextid=wwXIfr
"Louise Bernadette Butcher has completed her second London Marathon, and this time, she chose to run all 26.2 miles without a top. Her decision came after facing a cancer diagnosis and undergoing a double mastectomy.
For Louise, the marathon was about much more than covering the distance. She used the race as a platform to raise awareness around body image for women who, like her, have undergone mastectomies and opted not to pursue reconstructive surgery. Her message is bold and inspiring: scars don’t need to be hidden, and neither do the stories behind them.
As she puts it, 'Why should I cover my scars? They’re a part of me and they saved my life.'
Louise’s run is a reminder that true strength isn’t only measured in miles or finish times. Sometimes it’s about stepping forward exactly as you are, embracing your journey openly, and empowering others to do the same. Her courage on the streets of London will no doubt inspire countless women to face their own challenges with pride and resilience." -- via The Running Week
Louise -- who is known as The Topless Runner -- recently published a memoir about her experience "Going Topless" at https://amzn.to/3VzUR3V (Amazon) and https://bookshop.org/a/8011/9781836710363 (Bookshop)
You can also follow her running adventures on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1016633126
For two encouraging books about moms undergoing cancer treatment that were written to help kids understand what's happening during treatment, we highly recommend "Cancer Hates Kisses" for ages 3 to 7 (https://www.amightygirl.com/cancer-hates-kisses) and "Mama's Year with Cancer" for ages 4 to 8 (https://www.amightygirl.com/mama-s-year-with-cancer)
For books that encourage kids and teens to love their bodies no matter the shape or form, visit our blog post "Celebrating Every Body: 35 Body Image Positive Books for Mighty Girls" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=10912
For an excellent book for adult readers about 22 trailblazing women runners, we recommend “First Ladies of Running: 22 Inspiring Profiles of the Rebels, Rule Breakers, and Visionaries Who Changed the Sport Forever,” at https://www.amightygirl.com/first-ladies-of-running
For two inspiring books about female distance runner pioneers, we recommend "Her Fearless Run: Kathrine Switzer's Historic Boston Marathon" for ages 6 to 10 (https://www.amightygirl.com/her-fearless-run) and "Mighty Moe: The True Story of a Thirteen-Year-Old Women's Running Revolutionary" for ages 12 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/mighty-moe)
For a fantastic t-shirt that speaks to the fact that strength has nothing to do with gender, check out the “I'm not strong for a girl. I'm just strong.” t-shirt for both kids and adults at https://www.amightygirl.com/strong-t-shirt