Patti McGee, an iconic woman

"Skateboarding is 100% just as much for girls as it is for boys."

- Patti McGee, from her interview with Susan Adams in the October 1965 issue of Skateboarder Magazine, where she landed the cover, becoming the first woman to ever get the cover of a skate mag.

Photo: Larry Stevenson, Skateboarder Magazine, October 1965 issue

Saddened by the news of Patti McGee’s passing, we would like to express our condolences to her family and friends and also our gratitude for her legacy and inspiration.

Photo: Daniel / Oliver art gallery, 1965.

Considered to be a trailblazer and the first pro skater girl, Patti was born in Southern California and started skating in the 1950s, as a way to surf when there were no waves. In 1964, she won the first Women's Skateboard Championship in the US. In 1965, at 19 years old, she went pro and that same year she went on to appear on the cover of LIFE magazine and The Quarterly Skateboarder. She became quite famous across the US as she invaded the homes of American dreamers with her appearances on tv shows and commercials.

In 2010, McGee became the first woman inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and was involved with skateboarding for the rest of her life. She founded The Original Betty Skateboard Company alongside her daughter Hailey Villa, a brand with a vision to support female skateboarders.

Video: Some 60's awesomeness. Spare 1 minute of your day to watch this commercial Patti did for a phone company in 1965. Guaranteed to make you smile.

Often considered the first star of skateboarding, she helped bring this lifestyle closer to the masses. When expressing his condolences, Tony Hawk even thanked her for helping popularise skateboarding when it was considered “a menace.” Plus, she helped promote inclusivity by showing that women too deserve their space in a largely male-dominated sport, helping to shift perceptions and inspiring other girls to take up skating.

Let us forever celebrate this iconic woman who left a mark on the world of skateboarding. Rest in peace Patti McGee 💕