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Inventory of the Women's Department of Health and Physical Education Records, 1923 - 1976

Abstract

The Duke University Women's Department of Health and Physical Education began in about 1926 and merged with the Men's Physical Education Department in 1975. The Women's Department was responsible for providing required physical education courses, overseeing recreational and athletic activities, and providing a major in physical education. The Department had three chairmen during its existence: Julia R. Grout, Betty F. McCue, and Elizabeth C. Bookhout. The Women's Department of Health and Physical Education Records include correspondence, reports, brochures, publicity materials, student records, scrapbooks, and photographs. Major topics include the curriculum and administration of the department, student attitudes toward P.E., the attempt to build or renovate the gymnasium facility for women, the eventual merging of the Women's and Men's departments, and the effect of Title IX on women's athletics.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Women's Department of Health and Physical Education records, 1923 - 1976.
Creator
Duke University. Women's Dept. of Physical Education.
Extent
8.0 Linear Feet, , 6,000 Items
Repository
University Archives, Duke University.
Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult University Archives, Duke University.
Language
English.

Series Quick Links

Collection Overview

The Women's Department of Health and Physical Education Records consist of correspondence, reports, brochures, publicity materials, student records, scrapbooks, and photographs. The records are organized into two series: Alphabetical Files and Scrapbooks.

The alphabetical files primarily cover the period from the 1930s to 1975. Of note are photographs of women participating in physical education classes and sports; materials from the Women's Athletic Association and Women's Recreation Association; several surveys and reports from the 1960s and 1970s about women students' feelings and attitudes toward physical education; correspondence, estimates, and reports about the proposed building of a new facility for the department; correspondence and many reports which document the struggle with the administration to maintain the Department as a separate unit from the men's department in the 1970s; materials that discuss the effect of Title IX on women's sports and the growth of women's sports in the 1970s. Major figures include Julia R. Grout and Elizabeth C. Bookhout, both of whom served as Chairman of the department. The Alphabetical Files also include information on students who majored in physical education. In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, Duke University permits students to inspect their education records and limits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records.

The Alphabetical Files are arranged by broad subjects: Addresses, Administration, Annual Reports, Budget, Correspondence, Curriculum, Departmental Studies and Reports, Facilities, History, Photographs, Publicity, Recreation, Staff Meetings, Task Force and Curriculum Committee Action, and Women's Athletics. Within each of these subsections, materials are arranged either chronologically or alphabetically. The original arrangement of the materials has been maintained as much as possible.

The Scrapbooks are compilations of photographs, clippings, programs, correspondence, and other memorabilia. There are three books which date from 1932 to 1975.

Administrative Information

Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

warning Access Restrictions

Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, Duke University permits students to inspect their education records and limits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records.

warning Use Restrictions

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Contents of the Collection

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The Alphabetical Files are arranged into the following categories: Addresses, Administration, Annual Reports, Budget, Correspondence, Curriculum, Departmental Studies and Reports, Facilities, History, Photographs, Publicity, Recreation, Staff Meetings, Task Force and Curriculum Committee Action, and Women's Athletics. Within each of these subsections, materials are arranged either chronologically or alphabetically. The original arrangement of the materials has been maintained as much as possible.

Many of the subseries are self-explanatory, but several are worth noting in more detail. The Administration subseries contains information about the departmental structure and it also (along with the Task Force and Curriculum Committee Action subseries) contains information about the eventual merging of the Women's Department with the Men's Department. The Correspondence subseries includes administrative correspondence, but also the annual Christmas letters that were sent to former staff and majors. These letters provide a succinct overview of each year.

The Curriculum subseries includes information about the development of activity courses, requirements, and the major program. The department also kept files on each of the major students, but please note that these are restricted under FERPA. The Departmental Studies and Reports subseries contains some surveys of student attitudes toward physical education, along with reports on the department in general. The Facilities subseries documents the struggle to improve gymnasium facilities for women. The Photographs subseries has a wide variety of photographs of female students playing sports and participating in recreational events.

The Recreation subseries documents the Women's Athletic Association, the Women's Recreation Association, and other groups that organized recreational activities for women at Duke. As previously mentioned, the Task Force and Curriculum Committee Action subseries is the record of the eventual merging of the Women's Department with the Men's Department in the 1970s. The Women's Athletics subseries documents the changing approach toward women's athletics as a result of Title IX and new resolutions by intercollegiate sports organizations.

Instructors and Staff
Box 1 Folder 1
Major students, 1945-1976
Box 1 Folder 2
Chairmen listed
Box 1 Folder 3
Chairman, duties of-
Box 1 Folder 4
Sports chairmen; duties of, reports of
Box 1 Folder 5
Structure of Women's and Men's Departments: Current and Proposed, Spring 1973
Box 1 Folder 6
M's and W's Staff Meeting re Merging, Jan, 12, 1973
Box 1 Folder 7
Administration's communications to departments, February 1973-March 1973
Box 1 Folder 8
Women's Dept. communications to Men's Dept., February 15, 1973
Box 1 Folder 9
Women's Dept. communications to Administration, March 5, 1973
Box 1 Folder 10
Men's Dept. communications to Administration, March 9, 1973
Box 1 Folder 11
Men's and Women's Depts. communications to Administration, April 1973
Box 1 Folder 12
Correspondence and Conferences, Spring 1973
Box 1 Folder 13
Conference with Harold Lewis (Bookhout and Friedrich), March 14, 1973
Box 1 Folder 14
1935/36-1944/45
Box 1 Folder 15
1946/47-1959/60
Box 1 Folder 16
1960/61-1968/69
Box 1 Folder 17
1969/70-1971/72
Box 1 Folder 18
1972/73-1974/75
Box 1 Folder 19
Budget Requests, 1967-1970
Box 1 Folder 20
Library Fund
Box 1 Folder 21
1946
Box 1 Folder 22
January 1965-December 1970
Box 1 Folder 23
January 1971-December 1972
Box 1 Folder 24
January 1973-May 1975
Box 1 Folder 25
Business Administration, 1934-1963
Box 1 Folder 26
Business Administration, 1972-1975
Box 1 Folder 27
Christmas letters, 1953-1985
Box 1 Folder 28
Curriculum Committee, 1970-1971
Box 1 Folder 29
Financial Aid, Request for, 1962
Box 1 Folder 30
General, 1972-1975
Box 1 Folder 31
Recreation, 1972-1975
Box 1 Folder 32
Residential Life Committee, 1969-1970
Box 1 Folder 33
Staff, 1968-1975
Box 1 Folder 34
Students, 1970-1975
Box 1 Folder 35
Basic Movement, 1955
Box 1 Folder 36
Beginning Swimming, 1975
Box 1 Folder 37
Bowling, 1969-1970
Box 1 Folder 38
Equitation, 1970-1973
Box 1 Folder 39
Modern Dance, 1971
Box 1 Folder 40
Self Defense, 1966-1974
Box 1 Folder 41
X Sections, 1966-1970
Box 1 Folder 42
Yoga, 1971
Box 1 Folder 43
Approval of Courses, 1965-1974
Box 1 Folder 44
Certification Change, 1973
Box 1 Folder 45
Certification Requirements, 1955-1971, undated
Box 1 Folder 46
Curriculum Guide Study, 1961-1963
Box 1 Folder 47
Dance Articles, 1964, 1974
Box 1 Folder 48
Development of: Summary, 1951-1963
Box 1 Folder 49
Elective Activity Courses, 1971
Box 1 Folder 50
Elective Activity Courses, 1975
Box 1 Folder 51
Fundamental Movement and Freshman Week Scheduling, 1946-1964
Box 1 Folder 52
Grading, 1951-1954
Box 1 Folder 53
Graduate Program, Proposal of, 1967
Box 1 Folder 54
Health Education, 1952-1973
Box 1 Folder 55
Independent Activity Credit, 1970-1975
Box 1 Folder 56
Joint Major Proposal, 1969
Box 1 Folder 57
Long Range Planning Subcommittee on Undergraduate Colleges, 1959-1961
Box 1 Folder 58
Content of, 1943-1974
Box 1 Folder 59
Development of, 1943-1974
Box 1 Folder 60
Evaluation of, 1966-1971
Box 1 Folder 61
In the New Curriculum, circa 1970-1975
Box 1 Folder 62
Revision of, 1974
Box 1 Folder 63
Recruitment of, 1963-1970
Box 1 Folder 64
A
Box 1 Folder 65
B
Box 1 Folder 66
C
Box 1 Folder 67
D
Box 1 Folder 68
E-G
Box 1 Folder 69
H
Box 1 Folder 70
I-J
Box 1 Folder 71
K-L
Box 1 Folder 72
M
Box 1 Folder 73
N
Box 1 Folder 74
O-P
Box 1 Folder 75
Ra
Box 1 Folder 76
Re-Ru
Box 1 Folder 77
S
Box 2 Folder 78
T
Box 2 Folder 79
W
Box 2 Folder 80
Y-Z
Box 2 Folder 81
New Curriculum, Catalogue Material, Spring 1969
Box 2 Folder 82
New Curriculum, P.E. in, 1970-1971
Box 2 Folder 83
Orientation, 1953-1956
Box 2 Folder 84
Parker Committee Report, 1961
Box 2 Folder 85
Position Paper on Women's P.E., May 1968
Box 2 Folder 86
Posture Days, 1964-1966
Box 2 Folder 87
Proposals for Changes, 1955-1963
Box 2 Folder 88
Revisions, 1943-44
Box 2 Folder 89
1946
Box 2 Folder 90
1954
Box 2 Folder 91
1955
Box 2 Folder 92
1959
Box 2 Folder 93
Credit and Grading, 1924-1967
Box 2 Folder 94
Miss Grout's Justification of Required P.E. in College, 1961
Box 2 Folder 95
Statement on, 1968
Box 2 Folder 96
1969
Box 2 Folder 97
Defense of, 1971
Box 2 Folder 98
Material in support of, 1971
Box 2 Folder 99
Student Opinion, 1973
Box 2 Folder 100
Requirement Dropped, 1975
Box 2 Folder 101
Schedules and Curricular Changes, 1948-1967
Box 2 Folder 102
Schedules and Curricular Changes, 1967-1974
Box 2 Folder 103
Tennis, 1923
Box 2 Folder 104
Theory Classes, 1972-1973
Box 2 Folder 105
1939-1956
Box 2 Folder 106
Fundamental Movement, 1958
Box 2 Folder 107
A Study of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Indoor Facilities, circa 1958
Box 2 Folder 108
Dr. Kistler's Report on Department, 1958-1959
Box 2 Folder 109
Data on the Department, 1959
Box 2 Folder 110
Study of Alumni Reaction to P.E. Program, 1959
Box 2 Folder 111
Study of Attitude of Freshmen Women toward P.E. at beginning of freshman year, 1962-1963
Box 2 Folder 112
The Physical Education Building, April 5, 1963
Box 2 Folder 113
Study of P. E. Grades in Relation to Grades of Woman's College Students on Other Subjects, 1965
Box 2 Folder 114
Report for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1965
Box 2 Folder 115
Motor Ability Test Results, 1947-1968
Box 2 Folder 116
Study of Attitudes of Undergraduate Women toward Required P. E., 1967
Box 2 Folder 117
Computer Study of P. E. Grades, Fall 1967
Box 2 Folder 118
Reaction of Woman's College P. E. Staff to Attitudes of Undergraduate women toward Required P. E., 1967
Box 2 Folder 119
Study of Completion of Required Program, 1968
Box 2 Folder 120
Study of Motor Ability vs. P. E. Grades, 1968
Box 2 Folder 121
Statement on P. E. by Men's P. E. Staff, 1968
Box 2 Folder 122
Material Gathered for Presentation to Curriculum Committee, 1968
Box 2 Folder 123
Statement on Required P. E. in the Woman's College by the Women's P. E. Dept., March 18, 1968
Box 2 Folder 124
Freshman Questionnaire, Fall 1969
Box 2 Folder 125
Sophomores' Choice of Activity Courses, Fall 1970
Box 2 Folder 126
Required P. E. under the Old and New Curriculum, Questionnaire to Sophomores, May 1970
Box 2 Folder 127
Elective Courses for Credit, Results of Questionnaire, May 1971
Box 2 Folder 128
Freshman Questionnaire, Fall 1971
Box 2 Folder 129
Self Study Report, February 1976
Box 2 Folder 130
Blue Prints of Memorial Gym, undated
Box 2 Folder 131
Gymnasium and Swimming Pool facts, undated
Box 2 Folder 132
Co-Ed Classes and Sports Programs clippings, 1931
Box 2 Folder 133
Chronological List of Attempts to Acquire Adequate P. E. Facilities, 1936-1963
Box 2 Folder 134
Facility Limitations, 1951-1955
Box 2 Folder 135
Correspondence regarding Building Plans, 1953-1964
Box 2 Folder 136
Tennis Courts, 1954-1967
Box 2 Folder 137
Inadequacies of the Present Building, 1956
Box 2 Folder 138
Communication to the Committee on Long Range Planning, January 1958
Box 2 Folder 139
Physical Education Building - Communications and Official Reports, 1958-1963
Box 2 Folder 140
Kistler Visit and Evaluation, 1959
Box 2 Folder 141
Student Union, 1959-1971
Box 2 Folder 142
Sub-committee of the Long Range Planning Committee, 1962
Box 2 Folder 143
Funds for P. E. Building, 1962-1963
Box 2 Folder 144
Minutes of Sub-committee on Woman's College P. E. Building, Spring 1963
Box 2 Folder 145
News Release on Espansion Program including new P.E. building for women, March 1965
Box 2 Folder 146
Comparison of Proposed Facility with other colleges, April 1965
Box 2 Folder 147
Floors and Grounds Sketches, 1965
Box 2 Folder 148
A Proposal for the Development of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, the Woman's College, 1965
Box 2 Folder 149
Report on Duke University Recreation and Intramural Facilities, 1965
Box 2 Folder 150
Chronological Record of Work on Facilities, 1965-1966
Box 2 Folder 151
Correspondence re the 1965 Proposal, 1966
Box 2 Folder 152
Indoor Plans as described in 1965 Proposal
Box 2 Folder 153
Sub-committee Work on Specialized Areas of the Proposal, Spring 1966
Box 2 Folder 154
Phasing the Proposed Facility, May 1966
Box 2 Folder 155
Facility Problems, Memorial Gym, 1966
Box 2 Folder 156
Proposal for a Woman's College Center, 1966
Box 2 Folder 157
Staff Meetings on Facilities, 1966
Box 2 Folder 158
Renovation vs. New Building, January 1967
Box 2 Folder 159
Comparison of Sites for Facility and Fields, February 1967
Box 2 Folder 160
Correspondence, 1967-1971
Box 2 Folder 161
Emergency Facility Request, December 1969
Box 2 Folder 162
Revised Emergency Request, April 24, 1970
Box 2 Folder 163
East Campus Master Plan, May 1970
Box 2 Folder 164
Future Directions of the Women's Health and Physical Education Department, February 1972
Box 2 Folder 165
Report of Athletics and Physical Education Subcommittee of the University Planning Committee, April 1972
Box 2 Folder 166
Report of Fine Arts Subcommittee of the University Planning Committee, April 1972
Box 2 Folder 167
Chronological Record of Events, 1972-1979
Box 2 Folder 168
Statement of Women's Department of Health and Physical Education, May 1973
Box 2 Folder 169
Administration's Support, Fall 1973
Box 2 Folder 170
Approval by Building and Grounds Committee, September 19, 1973
Box 2 Folder 171
Rationale and Purpose, East Campus Facility for Physical Education and Recreation, October 31, 1973
Box 2 Folder 172
Projected Areas for East Campus Center for Physical Education and Recreation, November 9, 1973
Box 2 Folder 173
The Epoch Campaign including the East Campus Activity Center, 1973
Box 2 Folder 174
Rationale for improvement, 1973
Box 3 Folder 175
Building Committee Meetings, 1973-1979
Box 3 Folder 176
Purposes and Flexibility of ECAC, February 1974
Box 3 Folder 177
East Campus Center for Physical Education and Recreation - Preliminary Programs, 1974
Box 3 Folder 178
Brochure and Pictures - ECAC, circa 1974
Box 3 Folder 179
Construction Documents-ECAC, 1975
Box 3 Folder 180
Rationale for ECAC, October 1976
Box 3 Folder 181
Purpose for East Campus Activity Areas, 1976
Box 3 Folder 182
Publicity in Chronicle, Alumni Register, Etc. on ECAC, circa 1976-1978
Box 3 Folder 183-184
Paperweights, 1977-1978
Box 3 Folder 185
With architects, 1974-1976
Box 3 Folder 186
With Development Office, 1976-1979
Box 3 Folder 187
With Donors, 1953, 1976-1979
Box 3 Folder 188
With majors and former staff, May 1975
Box 3 Folder 189
With students and staff, July 1976-January 1979
Box 3 Folder 190
Cost Break-down, circa 1975
Box 3 Folder 191
Gift Record, 1972-1980
Box 3 Folder 192
SPUD, 1976
Box 3 Folder 193
Student Projects, Fall 1976-1978
Box 3 Folder 194
Swim-a-Thon, April 1976
Box 3 Folder 195
Peavey's Letter to Donors concerning use of money for renovation, January 30, 1981
Box 3 Folder 196
Donors' Response to Renovation of Memorial Gym instead of ECAC, January 1981-February 1981
Box 3 Folder 197
Renovation vs. New Construction - Architect's estimate, February 1981
Box 3 Folder 198
Renovation vs. New Construction (Contrast of Resulting Usefulness), 1981
Box 3 Folder 199
Talk by Julia R. Grout to the Dean's Staff, 1942
Box 3 Folder 200
Letter from Julia R. Grout to Dean Wannamaker, September 21, 1949
Box 3 Folder 201
Clippings, 1954-1966
Box 3 Folder 202
Development of P. E. for Women at Duke University, by Julia R. Grout
Box 3 Folder 203
All About Duke Physical Education Majors, 1945-1976, 1992
Box 3 Folder 204
Anatomy
Box 3 Folder 205
Archery
Box 3 Folder 206
Badminton
Box 3 Folder 207
Basketball
Box 3 Folder 208
Bowling
Box 3 Folder 209
Diving
Box 3 Folder 210
Fencing
Box 3 Folder 211
Field Hockey
Box 3 Folder 212
First Aid
Box 3 Folder 213
Golf
Box 3 Folder 214
Gymnastics, 1971
Box 3 Folder 215
Gymnastics, 1982-1983
Box 3 Folder 216
Gymnastics and Stunts, circa 1960-1969
Box 3 Folder 217
Major Students and their Families
Box 3 Folder 218
circa 1939-1950
Box 3 Folder 219
circa 1940-1950
Box 3 Folder 220-222
circa 1940-1955
Box 3 Folder 223
circa 1948-1953
Box 3 Folder 224
circa 1960-1969
Box 3 Folder 225
circa 1969-1970
Box 3 Folder 226
Nereidians
Box 3 Folder 227-228
Riding
Box 3 Folder 229
Skating
Box 3 Folder 230
Softball
Box 3 Folder 231
Square Dance
Box 4 Folder 232
Staff
Box 4 Folder 233-234
Staff members and their families
Box 4 Folder 235
Swimming
Box 4 Folder 236
Tennis
Box 4 Folder 237
Track and Field
Box 4 Folder 238
Used in P.E. Brochure
Box 4 Folder 239
Volleyball
Box 4 Folder 240
WAA
Box 4 Folder 241
War Time Activity
Box 4 Folder 242
Miscellaneous
Box 4 Folder 243
Alumni Register, 1954
Box 4 Folder 244
Clippings, 1958-1959
Box 4 Folder 245
Clippings, 1959-1960
Box 4 Folder 246
Clippings, 1971-1972
Box 4 Folder 247
Modern Dance, circa 1955-1965
Box 4 Folder 248
Modern Dance, 1971-1973
Box 4 Folder 249
Modern Dance, undated
Box 4 Folder 250
Nereidians, circa 1956-1968
Box 4 Folder 251
P.E. Major Brochures, circa 1950-1974
Box 4 Folder 252
Staff News, circa 1958-1971
Box 4 Folder 253
List of WAA Presidents and Vice Presidents, 1930-1959
Box 4 Folder 254
WAA Cabin, 1934
Box 4 Folder 255
WAA Handbooks, 1944-1959
Box 4 Folder 256
Minutes of WAA Board, 1946-1950
Box 4 Folder 257
Constitution of WAA, 1946, 1950
Box 4 Folder 258
Delta Phi Rho Alpha, circa 1950-1960
Box 4 Folder 259
Special Meeting of staff regarding Intramural Program, January 18, 1954
Box 4 Folder 260
Handbooks, 1959-1970
Box 4 Folder 261
List of WRA Presidents and Vice Presidents, 1959-1972
Box 4 Folder 262
Constitution of WRA and Program, 1961-1972
Box 4 Folder 263
Picture of 1962-1963 WRA Board
Box 4 Folder 264
History of WAA and WRA written by Nancy Ingram, WRA President, 1963-1964
Box 4 Folder 265
Activities of WRA, 1964-1971
Box 4 Folder 266
Women's Intramurals, 1971-1974
Box 4 Folder 267
Photos of Intramurals, 1971-1974
Box 4 Folder 268
Big 4 Sports Days, 1971-1975
Box 4 Folder 269
Co-Rec, 1971-1975
Box 4 Folder 270
1971-1972
Box 4 Folder 271
1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 272
1973-1974
Box 4 Folder 273
1974-1975
Box 4 Folder 274
Handbooks and Brochures, 1973-1975
Box 4 Folder 275
Schedule of Recreation Activities, 1974-1975
Box 4 Folder 276
Modern Dance, 1970-1971
Box 4 Folder 277
Modern Dance, 1971-1972
Box 4 Folder 278
Modern Dance, 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 279
Nereidians, 1969
Box 4 Folder 280
1957-1960
Box 4 Folder 281
1960-1962
Box 4 Folder 282
1962-1964
Box 4 Folder 283
1964-1966
Box 4 Folder 284
1966-1968
Box 4 Folder 285
1968-1970
Box 4 Folder 286
1970-1973
Box 4 Folder 287
1973-1975
Box 4 Folder 288
Professional Views on Required P. E., circa 1959-1972
Box 4 Folder 289
Professional Views on Recreation, circa 1968-1971
Box 4 Folder 290
AMA Position on P. E., 1969
Box 4 Folder 291
Student Views on P. E., 1971-1974
Box 4 Folder 292
Women's Athletics at Duke, 1972-1974
Box 4 Folder 293
Administrative Structure of P. E. in Other Schools, circa 1972-1974
Box 4 Folder 294
Action regarding P.E., Spring 1973
Box 4 Folder 295
Men's P.E. Dept. Information, circa 1973
Box 4 Folder 296
Professional Views on the Administration of P. E., 1973-1974
Box 4 Folder 297
Recreation at Duke, 1973-1974
Box 4 Folder 298
Future Directions - Men's and Women's P.E. to Task Force, April 1974
Box 4 Folder 299
Report to the Curriculum Committee on P.E. Requirement, April 1974
Box 4 Folder 300
Interim Statement of Task Force, May 1, 1974
Box 4 Folder 301
Reaction of Men's and Women's P.E. Depts. To the Task Force, May 1974
Box 4 Folder 302
Description of Women's Dept., Spring 1974
Box 4 Folder 303
Student Reaction to Interim Report of the Task Force, June 10, 1974
Box 4 Folder 304
Correspondence between Partin and Evans regarding Task Force position, June 1974
Box 4 Folder 305
Meeting of Task Force, October 30, 1974
Box 4 Folder 306
Report of Task Force, November 1974
Box 4 Folder 307
Response of Men's and Women's Depts. to Task Force Report of November 1974
Box 4 Folder 308
Change and Implementation, 1974
Box 4 Folder 309
Minutes and Communication, 1974
Box 4 Folder 310
Chronological Record of Task Force Activities, 1974-1975
Box 4 Folder 311
Response of Men's and Women's Depts. to Task Force Report of January 17, 1975
Box 5 Folder 312
Conference with Harold Lewis, January 22, 1975
Box 5 Folder 313
Student Response to Final Task Force Report, January 1975-February 1975
Box 5 Folder 314
Curriculum Committee Meeting regarding Task Force Report, February 7, 1975
Box 5 Folder 315
UFCAS Action regarding Task Force Report, Spring 1975
Box 5 Folder 316
Report of committee on athletics to UFCAS, October 1975
Box 5 Folder 317
1st Delegate Assembly, November 1973
Box 5 Folder 318
Resolutions on Scholarships, August 1974
Box 5 Folder 319
Code of Ethics, 1975
Box 5 Folder 320
Correspondence from AIAW President to Voting Members, 1975
Box 5 Folder 321
Correspondence with Kenneth Pye regarding Title IX, October 1976
Box 5 Folder 322
NCAA Plan for Women's Athletics, April 1975
Box 5 Folder 323
AIAW's Response to the NCAA Plan, 1975
Box 5 Folder 324
AAHPER's Response to the NCAA Plan, 1975
Box 5 Folder 325
Opportunity Knocks through Title IX, editorial in Update, April 1974
Box 5 Folder 326
Gwen Gregory on Title IX - notes from her speech, April 1974
Box 5 Folder 327
Speech by Dr. Katherine Ley at SDAAHPER, Spring 1974
Box 5 Folder 328
Final Text, July 21, 1975
Box 5 Folder 329
Growth of Women's Athletics, 1971-1975
Box 5 Folder 330
Formation of the Duke Chapter of AIAW, 1972-1973
Box 5 Folder 331
Summary of Women's Athletics, 1973-1974
Box 5 Folder 332
Position Paper on Women's Athletics, September 27, 1974
Box 5 Folder 333
Summary of Women's Athletics, 1976 (Written by the Men's P. E. Dept.)
Box 5 Folder 334

The Scrapbooks series consists of three scrapbooks of clippings, photographs, programs, correspondence and other materials related to the Women's Department of Health and Physical Education. There is some description of each scrapbook's contents below; there are more detailed inventories in the University Archives.

Please note that the scrapbooks are fragile and must be handled carefully.

1932-1941

This scrapbook is a collection of newspaper clippings and photographs of events related to the women's physical education department. The items are arranged chronologically.

Box 6
1958-1973

This scrapbook is chronologically arranged by school year. Each school year begins with a list of teaching staff. The scrapbook also includes programs from athletic and recreational events; articles and programs on various conferences; travel itineraries from staff members' trips; wedding announcements from major students; Christmas letters sent to retired staff and majors; notes from majors; articles related to Duke women's physical education and the Woman's College, as well as events at Duke; and brochures on the Women's Recreation Association and majoring in physical education. The scrapbook includes some photographs of events, teams, faculty, and majors.

Box 7
1973-1976

This scrapbook is a collection of newspaper clippings, programs, brochures, posters, Christmas letters, and schedules. The items are arranged chronologically.

Box 6

Historical Note

Women have participated in physical education classes at Duke University since at least 1896. Men's and women's physical education was conducted out of the same department, and female students took classes in gymnastics, marching, and calisthenics. In 1924, Julia “Jerry” R. Grout was named Assistant Director of Physical Education for the department, and she became the Director of the physical education program for women.

Soon after she arrived, Grout began to offer women students a wider variety of elective courses, and she required that students have two exercise sessions a week. During the 1925-1926 school year, the first theory course was added to the curriculum.

Between 1926 and 1929, separate Men's and Women's Physical Education Departments grew out of the original department. This department would be known variously through the years as the Department of Physical Education in the Woman's College, the Department of Physical Education for Women, and the Department of Health and Physical Education for Women. In 1930, the formation of the Woman's College on the East Campus of Duke University meant that women's physical education became primarily located on East Campus, while men's athletics and physical education were concentrated on the West Campus.

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, new staff members were added, and Grout's title changed from Director to Chairman. The variety of class offerings increased, with an increase in team sports electives. The advent of World War II led to classes with increased vigor to build stamina and strength. Also, beginning in fall 1942, Physical Education became a major for women who wanted to be certified to teach the discipline at the secondary level.

In the 1950s, the required classes had a greater emphasis on individual sports, rather than team sports. Games like tennis and golf could be played long after the students had graduated, so in the early 1950s the requirement of team sports was dropped for women. Also in the 1950s, the Department became increasingly aware of the need for better facilities for women's athletic and recreational activities. The Angier B. Duke gymnasium (known as the “Ark”) needed major renovations and additional buildings were needed.

The need for new facilities persisted into the 1960s, but no new facilities were funded. Throughout the 1960s, the department continually found itself revising its curriculum and responding to demands for change from both students and administrators. In 1964, after a forty-year career at Duke, Jerry Grout retired, and Dr. Betty F. McCue served as Chairman until 1967. In 1967, Dr. Elizabeth C. Bookhout became Chairman. (Although all three directors of the department were women, their official title was "Chairman.")

The Department continued to provide classes, but the requirement for physical education was reduced to just the freshmen year. Fewer women students majored in physical education, although some courses, like modern dance, remained popular. As in previous decades, the Women's Department felt deeply constrained by the lack of facilities for their courses, athletics, and recreation programs. In 1972, the Woman's College merged with Trinity College, Duke's undergraduate college, which had previously consisted of only men. In 1975, the University felt that it was financially unable to support the separate men's and women's Physical Education Departments, and merged the two departments. As of 2005, this department is called the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation.

Throughout its fifty-one year life, the Women's Department of Health and Physical Education did more than just administer required courses. It also assisted, sponsored, and helped support other athletic endeavors for women. A number of women's athletic teams, including swimming, golf, basketball, gymnastics, tennis, and volleyball, were developed and supported by the Women's Department until the teams came under the administration of the Athletic Department.

The Department also advised the Duke Women's Athletic Association (WAA). The WAA was formed in 1930, and helped set up athletic competitions for students, often just among Duke students and sometimes against other schools. The WAA also supported the Modern Dance Club and the Nereidians, a synchronized swimming club. In 1959, the WAA changed to the Women's Recreation Association (WRA), and this organization also organized recreational athletic activities.

This note was written based on information in the book Fifty Years of Physical Education for Duke Women, by Elizabeth C. Bookhout.

Subject Headings

Related Material

  • Julia R. Grout Papers (Duke University Archives)
  • Woman's College Records (Duke University Archives)

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Women's Department of Health and Physical Education Records, University Archives, Duke University.

Provenance

The Women's Department of Health and Physical Education Records were received by the University Archives as transfers from 1974-1993.

Processing Information

Processed by Valerie Gillispie.

Completed April 26, 2005

Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, April 29, 2005

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.