1 minute read

Senda Berenson Abbott

Chronology

1868	Born March 19 in Biturmansk, Lithuania, to Albert and Julia Valvrojenski
1890	Enrolls in the Boston Normal School of Gymnastics
1892	Begins teaching physical training at Smith College
1892	Introduces basketball to female students at Smith College
1893	Organizes the first women's basketball match. Helps to organize Smith College's Gymnastics and Field Association
1895	Introduces fencing to Smith College
1897	Becomes the second American woman to attend the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics in Stockholm, Sweden
1899	Member of Women's Basketball Rules Committee, which writes rules for women playing basketball
1899	Chairs the American Association for the Advancement of Physical Education Committee on Basketball for Girls
1905	Chief organizer of the Basketball Committee for Women
1911	Marries Smith College English professor Herbert Vaughn Abbott
1911	Directs physical education at Mary A. Burnham School
1921	Retires from teaching and travels to Europe to study art and music
1929	Moves to Santa Barbara, California
1954	Dies on February 16 in Santa Barbara