Long before Title IX, Ina E. Gittings (1885-1966) became the first university director of Women’s Physical Education and Athletics in Arizona in 1920. She introduced female students to archery, track and field, horseback riding and other sports. Women’s involvement in athletics was a new idea in the early twentieth century. Prior to that time.. girls were thought to be too frail for sports. Her influence on young women was well known and widely recognized.” She continued to deliver talks to community groups into the 1960s. Professor Gittings started Arizona Health and Physical Education in 1931 under the name, “Arizona Physical Education Society”.
Thank you Ina Gittings, Happy 50th Anniversary Title IX and Happy 91st Birthday, Arizona Health and Physical Education!
