Physical Education for Women
Program Files, 1941-67
Physical Education for Women
(UA 9/8/1)
Size: 1 boxes (.3 cu.ft.)
History:
The Department of Physical Education for Women was established in 1916. It was compulsory for three years and optional during the senior year. During World War II the Women's Physical Education program changed the emphasis of the program from physical recreation to conditioning and training. The theory was that the women needed to be in top physical condition to be able to participate in the war effort once they left college. The program was brought to the attention of "Life" Magazine, which ran a long article on the program. Newsreel photographers from Metro-Goldwyn Mayer, 20th Century Fox and Paramount came to campus to make feature shorts of the program.
To read the Life Magazine article "Girl's ROTC: New Hampshire Coeds Toughen Up for War" ask for Archives Oversize 378 N5E L5
Scope and Content:
This series contains a description of the World War II conditioning program and the publicity that the program generated. It also contains information on other programs sponsored by the Physical Education for Women and the Women's Recreation Association.
| F. 1 | Demonstrations and May Day Programs, 1923-33, with gaps |
| F. 2 | War Training Program, 1941-45 |
| F. 3 | Correspondence on War Training Program, 1942-52 |
| F. 4 | Publicity - War Training Program, 1943 |
| F. 5 | Voluntary Health Program, 1943 |
| F. 6 | "Country Fair" Pagent, 1943? |
| F. 7 | Dance Programs, 1946-60 |
| F. 8 | Gymkhana and Horse Shows, 1949-55 |
| F. 9 | Misc. fliers for Women's Recreation Association Programs |
| F.10 | Modified Program in Physical Education for Women for the Handicapped Student, 1957 |
| F.11 | Student Questionnaires on the Women's Physical Education Program, 1946-67 |
| F.12 | Secretarial Handbook for the Department of Physical Education for Women, 1950 |
| F.13 | Annual Budget (Supplies), 1947-1964 |