1989, Martha Benjamin

1989, Martha Benjamin (Cross Country Skiing)

Martha Benjamin was inducted to the Hall of Fame for her accomplishments as a cross-country skiing athlete.

Martha Benjamin, a lifetime resident of Old Crow, skied at the national level during the late 1950s and early 1960s and competeed in Canada, the U.S.A. and Europe. In 1963 at the age of 25 and a mother of five, Martha was named the senior Canadian women's cross-country ski champion. She won the title at a competition in Midland, Ontario for a 10k race with a time of 43.29 minutes.

In 1963, the Whitehorse Star quoted her coach, Father Mouchet as saying:

"Old Crow has the potential. Martha is steel, straight steel. She could go on forever. Old Crow skiers have the ability to find a source of energy that we don't know exists. Old Crow is the most isolated town in Canada. They have never had experience in real competitive racing. This is something that they have to overcome."

After her victory as Canadian Ski Champion, Martha went on to train for the Olympic team but family obligations kept her from competing at this level.