UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 9
October 31, 1996
Barbara J. Kelly v.p. of international sports assn.

     Barbara J. Kelly, physical education, has been appointed
vice president of the International Association of Physical
Education and Sports for Girls and Women (IAPESGW).
     Founded in 1949 by Dorothy Sears Ainsworth of Smith College,
at Northampton, Mass., IAPESGW includes more than 500 members
representing more than 50 nations, and its principal aim is the
promotion of physical education and sports for girls and women
around the world.
     "We seek to provide an opportunity and a forum to discuss
mutual problems and to promote our interests," Kelly said.
     As vice-president, she is one of five women worldwide to
serve on the group's executive board. Her term will expire in
1997.
     Kelly also has served for three years as president of the 75-
member U.S. chapter of IAPESGW.
     In that capacity, Kelly will carry official greetings to
next year's international conference, to be held July 27-Aug. 1
in Helsinki.
     The conference, held every four years, provides a forum for
presentation of scientific papers and discussion of topics of
interest.
     "Our goal is to see that girls and women have equal
opportunities in sports," Kelly said.
     Other areas of interest include the impact that involvement
in sports may have on the physical well-being of women in their
later years, particularly their ability to have children, Kelly
said, as well as eating disorders, women's physiology and the
problems of physical assault and sexual abuse.
     Although communication among IAPESGW members worldwide has
been limited in past years to attendance at conferences, such
technological advances as electronic mail has made sharing
information and ideas easier.
     Kelly said she believes the use of the Internet and e-mail
offers the potential to change the very nature of IAPESGW.
     "Before, we would meet every four years to share
information," she said. "Now, we can do this on a daily or a
weekly basis."
     A biannual newsletter, edited by Kelly, helps keep members
of the American chapter informed of events and issues affecting
their organization.
     For Kelly, being involved has changed her view of physical
education and sports for women; and, she said, it has provided
her with an opportunity to grow professionally and enlarge her
vision of other cultures.
     "I am awed by the caliber of the women in this
organization," Kelly said. "Even though I only communicate with
some of them by e-mail, I feel that I know them."
                                                    -Jerry Rhodes