How the Name Came to Be! National Senior Women’s Tennis Association
Originally printed in a 1982 issue.
By Mary Ann Plante
In 1974, Nancy Reed, Betty Pratt, and Charleen Grafton conceived the idea of an Association to organize and encourage senior women’s tennis. The USTA at that point was not addressing the needs of this group according to them. Nancy Penson of Dallas did the first newsletter in 1974-5. In 1976, through mutual agreement, Nancy Reed became the first President, and I became the first secretary. We were called the Senior Women’s Tennis Association.
Over the next five years during Reed’s tenure, we incorporated as a non-profit organization. The legal fees were paid by Hugh and Jeannette McKean of Winter Park, FL. We then developed the logo, drawn by Richard Wyman, and got a copyright from the US government on the name and logo. With the help of Carol Schneider of the USTA, we were instrumental in getting the 35 singles in the US Open and in 1981, the 45s doubles. Since that time, both have been discontinued. In 1980, we applied for and got a tax-free number from the US Government. We received a contract from Yonex for $1500 per year for two years and the membership was around 200 strong. Ruth Jones of Texas was the secretary and Edna Maynard of Connecticut was the treasurer. Both were a great help.
In 1982, Gladys Heldman of Houston became President and I was asked by her to remain as Ex. Secretary. I was happy to work with someone as great as Gladys. We had a meeting with her and Carol Schneider to think about changing the name of the association. I suggested Les Grandes Dames, but they did not like it. We finally decided that Senior was a good word and Gladys added National. We became the National Senior Women’s Tennis Association.
During Gladys’ reign, she got Lionel Train to put up $10,000 for the National Indoor 35-45 at Port Washington, and with the money in the treasury, she held a senior pro event in Houston which attracted Nancy Richey, Francoise Durr, and Judy Alvarez. Judy won the event. The prize money was $10,000. In 1982, the Association, at Gladys’ suggestion, decided to change the Presidency every two years to another USTA section. Thus, the burden of volunteering was not as long, plus new ideas and enthusiasm would enhance the newsletter and Association.
In order to change the name of the Association, we would have to change the name of the copyright, the Corporation, the tax-free number, stationary, plus 16 years of recognition. I was 43 in 1976 and felt that senior was not a Bag Term. I spoke with 30 women at Houston about this subject and all but two said they liked the name. Those two, after I explained the trouble to change, decided they also liked the name. We now encourage groups from 25-80.