First female cheerleading uniform, 1937

First female cheerleading uniform, 1937

Early references to female cheerleaders are scarce but Clara Miller stands out. Miller began cheering as a first-year student at the Homecoming game in 1937 and continued on the squad for all four of her years at Bradley. She hailed from Chicago and majored in chemistry. Her mother made her cheerleading outfit, which consisted of several interchangeable pieces shown here. She sometimes sported a letter sweater with matching wool trousers when the weather was particularly cold. In March of 1940 Clara was chosen as the "B" Club Sweetheart at the annual Varsity Swing. It was a major social event.

Photos by Ching Zedric.

1937

College sports--Cheerleading; Women college students

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