Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Press ReleaseMarch is international women's month, and it is not lost on the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) that its very existence has its roots in the dedication and tenacity of women. Elinor Penna is one such woman. Her determination helped shape an organization that continues to be led by women she continues to inspire.Elinor had already been battle-tested when the TRF was founded in 1983.She began writing a football newsletter in the 1960s, distributing it around Manhattan and eventually charging a nickel as her audience grew. After being denied press box access for a 1968 New York Jets-New York Giants game, she sued the National Football League, gaining recognition and becoming a pioneering woman covering the NFL. She was opening doors in a male-dominated industry.Years later, after marrying Hall of Fame trainer Angel Penna and spending time in France, she returned to New York and became involved with Monique Koehler. Then came the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Bringing her connections and determination, Elinor helped build the organization from the ground up, spreading awareness across racetracks and turning a small idea into a lasting mission to provide dignified lifetime care for retired Thoroughbred racehorses. This is when the TRF Second Chances Program was launched at Wallkill Correctional Facility in Wallkill, NY, marking the beginning of this transformative initiative, which continues to run today and has since expanded to correctional facilities across the country.Elinor understood how to bring people together, she lobbied from every box to barn and put the TRF on the map. Through it all, Elinor remained at the heart of the mission, raising awareness, building connections, and pushing forward despite obstacles. Her story is not just one of personal achievement, but of lasting impact.In an interview with the TRF this past February, Elinor Penna said, “I am just so happy that, after all of these years, the TRF is still going strong.”Today, the TRF continues to thrive, led and supported by women who follow in the path Elinor helped forge. Her legacy is clear: she didn't just break into an industry–she built a community that continues to grow and inspire.The post Honoring the Women Who Built the TRF: The Story of Elinor Penna appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.