Mimi Hughes of Tennessee swims past Sawyer Point Park in downtown Cincinnati with a kayak escort. Hughes is attempting to swim the length of the Ohio River, 981 miles. She began her trip May 22 in Pittsburgh and is scheduled to finish July 17 in Cairo, Ill. Hughes swims 20 miles each day and rests one day a week. The 54-year-old community college reading specialist says she's swimming to raise money and awareness about the education of women and girls.

CINCINNATI (AP) — A Tennessee woman swimming the 981-mile Ohio River has nearly reached her halfway mark.

Mimi Hughes planned to swim from Cincinnati to Aurora, Ind., on Saturday as part of a voyage that began May 22 in Pittsburgh and is scheduled to finish July 17 in Cairo, Ill. She's accompanied by a filmographer making a documentary and a kayaker who warns river traffic that a swimmer is in the area.

Hughes swims 20 miles each day and rests one day a week. Buoyed by her wet suit, she takes breaks in the water about every hour and a half for an energy bar, water and electrolytes.

The 54-year-old community college reading specialist says she's swimming to raise money and awareness about the education of women and girls worldwide.

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Online:

http://womenacrosstheworld.ning.com.

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Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com