While much of the mythos of the origin of skateboarding is centered around teenage boys of Southern California, there was a strong contingent of female pioneers who helped shape skateboarding since it’s inception. Below we take a look at some of the women who influenced skateboarding culture in the 60s and 70s:

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Onlookers watch a skateboarding contest in Torrance, California in 1977.

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By the late 1970s, skateboarding was growing in size and reach, including to some famous Hollywood heroines. Above, Farrah Fawcet tries out skateboarding.

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Skateboarding wasn't just a California phenomena -- the above photograph was captured

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Enjoy these images? Check out some of these videos of the first female skateboarders: