At the time of its conception, the W.A.A. was successful in terms of the number of women participating, and this level of participation was often the result of hard work, dedication, and initial acceptance by the Association. To be accepted to the W.A.A., undergraduate women had to make one team sponsored by the organization, whether it be hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball, dancing, archery, or advanced swimming. Additionally, women could become members by passing two tests in any sport by demonstrating technique of the activity. These requirements for admittance fluctuated over the years, as one brochure from 1932-33 also states that women had to have C plus “posture” for admittance — undoubtedly a trend of the times — while a similar but undated brochure does not mention this requirement. Despite these requirement fluctuations, the Association consistently granted membership to many capable and driven women at IU. Once accepted, women were granted opportunities to excel through the implementation of diverse criteria capable of placing them in appropriate leadership positions on their respective teams. Such criteria often included perfect attendance, scholarship, spirit, skill in playing, and knowledge of playing.
In the early 20th century, Indiana University women were active members of various active academic and social clubs within the IU Bloomington campus, and the Arbutus yearbook from the corresponding year showcases this involvement through its inclusion of a portrait for several of these women-led groups. However, despite this high level of involvement, women had yet to break into many facets of the sports world at IU. Men were often the sole members of sports teams and athletic clubs, and they benefited greatly from them in terms of physical fitness, as well as social connection and resume-worthy experiences. This phenomenon prompted IU’s Department of Education to create a resource promoting change and equity. Thus, the Women’s Athletic Association was born in 1913, and its mission was to better the health of women, secure recreation, and ensure physical development among women at IU, as a means of promoting scholarship and good fellowship. Following its creation, women became heavily involved as members and leaders. Frances Hankemeier gained the title of first president, and ninety-nine women registered as members. The Association was very popular on campus, and it gave women access to many sports, such as soccer, baseball, volleyball, (deck) tennis, archery, hockey, dancing, “gymnasium,” swimming, and basketball.
Once teams were finalized, the W.A.A. split group-participation for various sports into the sports’ respective seasons, as hockey, soccer, and archery were championed in the fall. In the winter, members familiarized themselves with basketball, swimming, natural dancing, clogging, folk dancing, and gymnastics and apparatus. In the spring season, baseball, tennis, and natural dancing became the widespread focus.
Throughout the year and within sports best suited for tournaments (such as tennis, hockey, soccer, and archery), the W.A.A. hosted tournaments for its members to compete against each other, and, often, four teams competed – one for each class/academic year of members. These tournaments gave women the opportunity to showcase their skills honed throughout the regular practicing season and compete against each other in formal games often championed by men’s sports at the time.
While it remained a strong force for change at IU, the Association utilized a points-based awards system to encourage its members’ physical fitness, and it commonly gave out two kinds of awards. The first is a set of old English numerals granted upon the attainment of a B plus posture and a fulfillment of one of the following participatory levels and assessments: three teams and three tests, four teams and one test, or five teams (these requirements fluctuated throughout the Association’s existence). The second award was an “I” monogram or varsity sweater, and only women who had participated in six teams in four different sports, passed three tests in the remaining sports, and received an A in posture (the posture requirements and the number of teams required for this award were also known to fluctuate) were eligible. These awards were primarily given through the utilization of a points system, as women with more than 1,000 points in four different sports received “I” varsity sweaters or monograms. The first sweater recipient was Violet Pinaire ’15, and the next ten recipients were Vista Clayton ’15, Ruth Herdrick ’15, Marion Stephenson ’15, Emma McElroy ’16, Mary Rieman ’16, Muriel Webb ’16, Florence Jourdan ’16, Pauline Siebenthal ’16, Clara Fedler ’17, and Lillian Elmendorf ’18.
Although it upheld many strong requirements and regulations, the W.A.A. definitely hosted many moments of friendship, play, and emotional displays of solidarity. In some of its brochures and handmade cards, the W.A.A. “March” or “Song” is printed, and it is a testament to the community-building opportunities the Association provided: “Joys, Joys, W.A.A, / Standing together in work or in play / Friends, Friends, wher’ere you may be / Symbol of friendship for you and for me.” Although it was originally founded for physical health, recreation, and development, the W.A.A. quickly became an outlet for personal betterment and friendship among women at I.U., as hard work accomplished in group settings forged strong bonds that might not have existed otherwise.
Evidence of similar personal and heartfelt dedications to the Association’s values exists in its surviving bulletins and pamphlets, which were often individually cut out, illustrated in great detail, and neatly tied with ribbons. For instance, one of these pamphlets showcases a cartoon woman walking down a “treacherous” road lined with deadly obstacles. The obstacles likely reference the gendered structural barriers W.A.A. members were attempting to overcome, which required tight-knit personal bonds at the center of the Association. Many other booklets and pamphlets showcase similar themes of solidarity and a desire for equality in the sports world and at large.
The Women’s Athletic Association is believed to have disbanded around or after 1948, as the last known documentation of their presence on campus is their 1948 group photograph in the Arbutus yearbook. The W.A.A.’s traceable 35-year presence at I.U. left a lasting impression on the University, as the Association granted women unique opportunities related to physical fitness and social interaction that were groundbreaking for its time and capable of paving paths for I.U. women even after its disbandment.
To learn more about the Women’s Athletic Association records at the IU Archives, check out the finding aid at https://archives.iu.edu/catalog/InU-Ar-VAE4605; contact the Archives if you would like to schedule an appointment to view any of the materials!
