Ever since reading Venus with Biceps, I’ve been fascinated with strong women. And I love these photos of Pudgy Stockton.

Abbye “Pudgy” Stockton was known as The “First Lady of Iron.” In the 1940s, she organized the first women’s weight lifting contest and operated the first all-women’s gym in the United States. She lifted, performed acrobatics on Muscle Beach and wrote extensively encouraging women to include weight training as part of a fitness regime. Born in Santa Monica, California, on August 11, 1917, Pudgy died June 26, 2006.

Read The Belle of the Barbell, New York Times

There’s also a beginner’s workout for superhuman women inspired by Pudgy Stockton.

And more pictures over at the Feminism and Happiness blog.