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. (1892)
• 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
• Organized and officiated the first women's collegiate basketball game, played between the Smith freshman and sophomore classes (1893)
• Published her official rules for women's basketball (1899)
• Became editor of A.G. Spalding's first Women's Basketball Guide, the first basketball guide written specifically for women (1901)
• Served as Chairperson of the Women's Basketball Committee for 12 years (1905-1917)