At ninety years old, Hinda Ness is an inspiration. What began as an act of rebellion against the Israeli Defense Force at just twenty-five years of age, Ness has used her experiences to become a champion of women’s rights and has recently taken up running again.
Hinda Ness was born in Lodz, Poland in 1930 and fled with her family to British-controlled Palestine in 1939 just before the start of the Second World War. When the State of Israel was founded in 1948, Ness was among those called to serve in the military. But as a woman, she felt her rights were being violated and she refused to take part in the army’s all-male training regiment.
At the time, it was a bold and daring move. Ness became a symbol of defiance against the norms of the day, and when she was arrested for her protest, her story made headlines. She was sentenced to six months in prison, which she served in its entirety.
After her sentence, Ness began a tireless fight for equal rights for women in the military and in society as a whole. She was at the forefront of the feminist movement in Israel and worked with the United Nations to further this cause.
Today, at ninety years of age, Ness is still a champion for equality. In recognition of her life’s work, she was recently inducted into the Israel Sports Hall of Fame. But, perhaps even more remarkable, is the fact that Ness has begun running again in her old age.
In an interview, Ness spoke of the joy she gets from lacing up her running shoes and hitting the track. “I run every day and it is like someone is telling me ‘this is your life now, Hinda,’ and it is my job to keep going.”
Hinda Ness is a shining example of how determination and a dedication to a cause can inspire a lifetime of accomplishment and bravery. Her story serves as a reminder that one can make a difference, no matter how old they may be.