Senior Women Choose Basketball To Keep Fit

In 1961, Jewel Chapmans highschool principal told her that basketball wasn't ladylike, and he banned the girls basketball program, leaving Chapman and her teammates extremely frustrated. It's now almost 50 years later, and 62 year old Chapman is ba...

In 1961, Jewel Chapmans highschool principal told her that basketball wasn't ladylike, and he banned the girls basketball program, leaving Chapman and her teammates extremely frustrated. It's now almost 50 years later, and 62 year old Chapman is back on the court and playing for the Hot Pink Grannies, a senior womens basketball team consisting of about 10 other women. The Hot Pink Grannies are a part of the Iowa Granny Basketball League, and their uniforms are black bloomers and hot pink socks. This league is one of dozens of "women over 50" basketball leagues that have spread across the country. Some of the women see it as a chance to get some exercise. Some as a chance to socialize. And others simply see it as a "once-denied" chance to compete.