An Historical Photographic Archive of Women’s Sports at Duke University

The archives of the athletics department at Duke University has more than 28,000 photographic negatives from the 1928 to 1982. Researchers taking inventory of the collection recently discovered a group of photographs showing Duke women playing baseball as early as 1934.

The Women’s Athletic Association at Duke was formed in 1929 as an “outlet for the athletic urge more than the physical education classes were able to offer.” In these early days, women participated in baseball (not softball), tennis, golf, track, field hockey, soccer, swimming, basketball, and other sports.

The mission of the WAA was to “stimulate interest in athletics, to provide a chance for those interested in sports to develop more skill, and to give women opportunities for fellowship and recreation.” In addition to organized sports, the WAA held dances, hikes, and weekend parties.