First Female Cheerleaders

In 1937 a controversy occurred as students sought to have women, as well as men, lead cheers. After considerable discussion and negotiation, Dean of Women Harriet Greve, who had previously opposed the notion, recommended that women be allowed to be cheerleaders. The first female cheerleaders selected from among the six hopefuls who tried out at the Kentucky football game in November 1938 were Isobel Carter and Thelma Guinn. Carter was a freshman from Greeneville, pledge of Chi Omega, and the winner of the 1938 statewide beauty contest to select Tennessee’s representative in the Miss America pageant. (She was unable to compete in the Miss America pageant due to illness.) Guinn was a sophomore from Ducktown and a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. The committee that selected them was composed of the head cheerleader, ASC President Bud Seymour, and Physical Education Director A. W. Hobt. They began to cheer at 1939 football games. The first female head cheerleader was Wawanna Cameron, elected by the squad in 1954. Tammy Brogan was the first female cheerleader captain in 1980.

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Title First Female Cheerleaders
  • Author
  • Keywords First Female Cheerleaders
  • Website Name Volopedia
  • Publisher University of Tennessee Libraries
  • URL
  • Access Date January 21, 2025
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update October 7, 2018