Senda Berenson Abbott

• 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