Title/Author:
“Dust Bowl Girls: The
Inspiring Story of the Team that Barnstormed Its Way to Basketball Glory” by
Lydia Reeder
Tags:
Basketball, women’s
sports, amateur ,history
Publish date:
January 24, 2017
Length:
304 pages
Rating:
5 of 5 stars (outstanding)
Review:
During the Great Depression, many in the nation wanted anything that
would give them hope and lift their spirts during that trying time. One of the
more unlikely sources of that type of inspiration was a women’s basketball at
the tiny school of Oklahoma Presbyterian College. The dreams of their coach,
Sam Babb, and their story is captured in this well-written book by Lydia
Reeder, the great niece of Coach Babb.
In the book, the reader will learn about the Cardinals’ star player Doll
Harris and her teammates as they took their athletic gifts and despite the
concerns from the Women's Division (led by the wife of President Herbert Hoover)
about the health of female athletes, they practiced, won games and then won the
1932 AAU championship (there was no NCAA basketball tourney for men or women at
that time).
There are also passages that describe the Depression-era economy of the time, some history of the area and the college as well as the many references to the scorn of women participating in non-feminine sports. At that time, it was acceptable for women to play sports that would not necessarily make them masculine, such as figure skating and tennis. But basketball was certainly one game that was supposed to be for the men.
One should also keep in mind that at this time the women’s game was a
six-on-six sport in which three players for each team were on offense and
defense and cannot cross the center court line.
These sections that explain this attitude toward female athletes make
this book one that anyone interested in women’s sports a must read. It is also recommended for readers who want
an inspiring story about a team of determined young women out to show what they
can accomplish.
I wish to thank Algonquin Books for providing a copy of the book via
NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)
Buying links:
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