The Olympians, The Gladiators, and The Lobos |
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FEATURES Celebrating Our History Dance, Dance, Dance |
The Olympians, The Gladiators, and The Lobos The first UNM women’s basketball teams were formed in 1898. The “Olympians” and the “Gladiators” played their first season in bloomers and bows, with the letters UNM sewn across the chest. The girls played in the gym with the doors closed, and only other girls were allowed to attend. The girls played a half-court game and were not allowed to dribble or guard other players. Running was allowed only while the ball was in the air. It was not lady-like to participate in sports; physicians believed the physical activity was harmful to women’s reproductive health. But the women persisted. The women continued to organize their teams and played for the next decade, meeting other teams from Silver City, Las Vegas, Gallup, and Las Cruces. Their college spirit was believed to be the best possible advertising for the school. But in 1912, the faculty ruled that the women’s basketball teams could not travel outside of Albuquerque, and they severely limited the number of games played each season. Undaunted, the girls formed inter-sorority teams in 1921 and played each other on campus. |
Celebrating Our History
During March, along with the national celebration of women’s history, New Mexico Woman Inc. is celebrating several anniversaries—the 25th anniversary of the New Mexico Women in Business Directory and the 18th anniversary of New Mexico WOMAN magazine (originally Albuquerque WOMAN ). Jill Duval, founder and president of New Mexico Woman Inc., has shown an incredible commitment to building a strong women’s community in New Mexico. The two publications and production of two annual events - this year’s Thirteenth Annual Top 25 Women - Owned Businesses in New Mexico and the Sixth Annual New Mexico Young Women of Promise Awards—have celebrated women from all over New Mexico. Jill’s journey to becoming a women’s activist and publisher began quite ordinarily. Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Jill led a very traditional life—a typical middle class existence—until her move to New Mexico. |
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Two Albuquerque women, two journeys, and two unique dance companies have led to community change and enrichment in Albuquerque. In celebration of women’s history month, we take a closer look at their endurance, their growth, and their remarkable stories. DANCE EXPOSÉ For Edye Baca Allen, dance is more than a form of art, it’s a way of life. She has been dancing since the age of five and she began teaching dance at age 15. Allen is the owner of the dance company Dance Exposé, a nonprofit organization founded in 1992. Dance Exposé is nearing its 15th year. Allen is a native New Mexican who worked as a professional dancer and choreographer in Los Angeles, dancing in music videos, television award shows, and major motion pictures. She has had the opportunity to work with Janet Jackson and the country western group, Alabama. She has also worked with Elizabeth Taylor, Steve Martin, and Jessica Lange. Allen started Dance Exposé after returning to Albuquerque and finding a lack of dance companies. “I really wanted to be able to showcase dancers and their abilities,” she says. |
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