We Learn by Doing, Leading, and Competing: Women in Athletics and

Physical Education 1890- 1960

Each school year at Bridgewater began with a welcome event hosted by the student-led Women’s Athletic Association. In 1928, association president, Clara Almstead greeted nearly every first-year woman and talked to them about the WAA goal “to develop in every member as far as possible the qualities of Scholarship, Service, Sportsmanship, and Stability.” Student leaders explained how the point system worked for logging participation and previewed fall and winter events like the Halloween Dance and fall play days with other schools. Between 1920-1960 Bridgewater women competed in many ways including the much anticipated White vs Red competitions where teams were divided by assigned color, by dormitory teams, by class year, by major, by commuters and dorm residents, intercollegiately, and in play days. In field hockey, for example, class divisions played first then class teams were determined and played next in a tournament every evening (except Fridays) from November 12 through Thanksgiving. Student leaders and faculty were involved in statewide women’s athletics meetings like the 1928 the first Normal School athletic association conference.

Faculty taught all the classes in the major, oversaw both the WAA and the NAA, coached the sports teams. “Faculty advisors and coaches were responsible for scheduling games with other colleges and making all game arrangements.” (Comeau, 1997, p. 85)

Students from the 1960’s fondly remember Dr. Mary Jo Moriarty’s tap dance classes. They also recall dressing for dinners and Miss Pope teaching them how to serve tea with white gloves. In the 1950’s-1960’s, women physical education majors were expected to behave appropriately as professionals, attend regional conferences, dress up for dinners at Tilly and learn to serve tea.

Bridgewater State University Archives and Special Collections (3/13/2023). Guide to the Mary Jo Moriarty Collection [Finding Aid]. The Moriarty Collection (Bulk 1929-1970) (MSS-013).

Bridgewater State Normal School. (1924). The Normal Offering 1924. Retrieved from: https://vc.bridgew.edu/yearbooks/18

Mary Pratt: On a Level Playing Field

Bridgewater State University Archives and Special Collections (10/21/2022). Guide to the Mary Pratt Collection, 1940-1959, 1982-2010, undated [Finding Aid]. Part of the Kathleen Bertrand and Linda Lundin Honoring Women in Sport Collection (MSS-049.01.09). Thumbnail of page also from this source.