07/21/2025
💙Remembering Mary Shields💙
More than 50 years after her groundbreaking run, Mary Shields continued to inspire generations of women on the trail.
Mary, the first woman to ever finish the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, passed away this week in Fairbanks at the age of 80. In 1974, she made history by placing 23rd out of 44 mushers — one spot ahead of fellow trailblazer Lolly Medley — securing her place in Iditarod history as a pioneer for women in mushing. 🐾
But Mary was more than a racer. She was a joyful, adventurous Alaskan whose love for her dogs and the wild outweighed any desire for competition. She ran a kennel in Fairbanks for many years, shared her passion through storytelling and books for children, and was featured in the film Season of the Sled Dog.
Her legacy lives on in the countless mushers she inspired — on and off the trail.
Thank you, Mary. 🐾