PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Long before Title IX (a law which prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools that receive federal funding), Ina E. Gittings became the first university Director of Women’s Physical Education and Athletics in Arizona in 1920, where she would spend the rest of her life. Before arriving at University of Arizona and traveling the state to help develop women’s and girls’ athletic opportunities, the Nebraska Phi Beta Kappa, pole-vaulting, homesteading educator served in the US Army Medical Corps during World War I as a Reconstruction Aide—the world’s first generation of physical therapists. She followed this with a stint in humanitarian service aiding Armenian refugees in Turkey. Through this interactive presentation exploring the past and current landscape for women athletes, discover the significance of this fascinating individual whose very name marks Arizona’s map.
This program is cohosted by the Mesa Public Library – Red Mountain.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Pamela Stewart—historian, educator, and consultant with learning design expertise—has over 20 years of experience teaching wide-ranging history courses to non-majors at ASU and in public-facing contexts, including 55+ audiences and public art tours and educational presentations at Phoenix Art Museum. Retiring from ASU in 2022, her non-traditional academic career path has played a significant role in advocating the “doing” of history in ways that show the relevance and inclusive nature of thinking historically to address current challenges. She seeks to expand awareness of the fact that if we don’t know the history, we can’t solve the problem.