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Senda Berenson Abbott
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Senda Berenson Abbott
Class of 1999
- Often referred to as “the mother of women’s basketball”
- Pioneered women’s basketball as director of physical education at Smith College in Northampton, Mass.
- Modified the original rules of “Basket Ball”, invented by Dr. James Naismith at the International YMCA Training School (now Springfield College), for her female classes as a means of exercise, stressing socialization and cooperation rather than competition
- Served as Chairperson of the Women’s Basketball Committee for 12 years
- Authored and developed the first basketball guide for women