Bio
Posthumously Inducted
Evelyn "Evvy" Louise Boldrick Howard earned an MS degree in Physical Education, Health and Hygiene from Wellesley College in 1945. Evie earned additional fame on the badminton court in the 1940’s with two US singles titles in 1940 and 1942 and one US doubles title in 1942. Evie’s prowess and talents in the sport of badminton earned her recognition and induction into two Halls of Fame prior to this one at Wellesley College. She is a member of the Helms Athletic Hall of Fame in Los Angeles and was inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions in 1975. Evie served as an assistant instructor during her two years in the master’s degree program at Wellesley from 1943-45. Evie was then hired at Wellesley and taught physical education with responsibilities including racquet sports, golf, fencing, swimming and diving.
Evvy was recruited by then-Department Head Ruth Elliott to the Master’s Program in Physical Education, Health, and Hygiene at Wellesley. This was due, at least in part, to Evvy’s notoriety as U.S. Women’s badminton champion in 1940 & 1942 (singles) and 1942 (doubles), along with suspension of competition due to the war.
Upon completing the Master’s degree in 1945, Evvy was hired by Dr. Elliott as an Instructor in the Department and taught until 1949, when the first of her three children was born. Her three children spent many, many fun, memorable, and instructive times throughout their formative years in the old Mary Hemenway Hall and “the Rec. Building” (as we called it, which contained the badminton and squash courts, and the pool).
Evvy kept in regular contact with her colleagues and newly hired professors in the department throughout her child-rearing years. This was deeply ingrained in her character: building and nurturing friendships with colleagues, associates, and students. In fact her children count many of these friends as significant family members! They never knew who or how many might be coming over for dinner on any given day! This included, by the way, Department Heads Ruth Elliott, Elizabeth Beall, Betty Spears, and Linda Vaughan.
One of her students relates: She taught me everything I know about fencing and badminton. At one time during my senior year she needed one more person on her fencing team for a home event and picked me off the street to help her out. What a hoot! To say the least, my form was unorthodox and confusing to the opponents. I can say that I am undefeated in my intercollegiate fencing career. I still remember looking over at Evvy after scoring an unusual touch and having her wink and smile at me, acknowledging my surprise. My fondest memories are of racquet sports with Evvy. What a competitor! She did not like to lose, and would get very competitive when she was behind, which was rarely. Playing badminton she would have a sweater on, run me all over the court, look like she had not played at all, and I would be a wet dishrag! I have to tell you that badminton became my favorite sport, and she got me to compete in some of the state tournaments.
Evvy truly loved Wellesley College, her colleagues, and teaching her students to appreciate, if not master, sports she truly adored. If it had been up to her, I have no doubt that she would have continued at Wellesley until retirement. Evvy ultimately had to leave the college due to a rule that required faculty to attain a Ph.D. to continue to teach at the college, but not before serving her final year as head of the department to allow her colleague Betty Spears to take a sabbatical.
In later years she became actively involved with the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) before it became part of the NCAA, with her efforts contributing ultimately to the passage of Title IX in 1972.
–Reflection by Rev. Jim Howard, Son of Evelyn Howard
