Current Pedorthics | July-August 2017 | Vol.49, Issue 4 | Page 36

LEADING LADIES IN PEDORTHICS was a fraction of the men’s and her training room tiny—a converted storage area carpeted with old turf from UA’s Bryant Denny Stadium. She recalled, “Coach promised me that if I would contend with that storage area and take care of women’s athletics, at that time two-hundred-plus athletes, I’d get a new training room within the year.” Robertson said. “Of course, every day as a female Athletic Trainer, you had to prove yourself because that was a man’s world.” She eventually got her new space. Her Olympic experience and graduate internship at Murray State helped her gain acceptance and respect among her colleagues. In 1977 she became the first female certified athletic trainer in the Southeastern conference, and in 1978 she earned a master’s degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from University of Alabama. Donna began the UA Women’s Athletic Training Program, in 1976 which was the first of 7 in the nation. She opened the first of 2 Sports Medicine Clinics in Alabama, and was hired as Sports Medicine Director and Foot Specialist with University Orthopedics Group. Author Ms. Robertson's induction into the Alabama Athletic Trainers Association (ALATA) Hall of Fame. 34 Pedorthic Footcare Association www.pedorthics.org