The Fight for Women’s Judo: Rusty Kanokogi’s Story

Passing the Torch

Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 6:30 PM

Raised in Brooklyn, NY, and trained at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Japan, Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi (née Glickman) is known as the “Mother of Women’s Judo.” Rusty dedicated her life to martial arts, and due in great part to her efforts, women’s judo became an official Olympic sport in 1992. Rusty’s daughter, Jean Kanokogi, Ph.D., a 5th degree black belt in judo, and author of Get Up & Fight: The Memoir of Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi, The Mother of Women’s Judo, is keeping her mother’s legacy alive. During this program, Dr. Kanokogi discusses her mother’s fascinating life, and tells the story of how women’s judo became an Olympic sport.