(Sister of Bernard, Physical Education Instructor)

Like her older brother, Senda was born in Lithuania.  Of Bernard’s siblings, Senda was the one with whom he was closest.  As early as his Harvard days he was concerned with developing both her intellect and social connections. She joined in Bernard’s activities at Harvard, from helping him choose photographs with which to decorate his room on Mt. Auburn Street to frequenting roundtable discussions at the home of Grace Norton, sister of the Harvard professor Charles Eliot Norton. Senda later became a physical education instructor at Smith College, and was a central figure in women’s basketball, organizing the first public women’s game at Smith in 1893.
Click here to view Senda Berenson papers online at the Smith College Digital Access Project Archives.