Guide to the Ruth Westerman Papers and Photographs, 1943-2007
Arrangement
Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Ruth Westerman Papers and Photographs
Creator
Westerman, Ruth
Collection Number
MSS 710
Extent
4 linear feet(1 box, 2 shelf volumes and 1 oversized folder)
Date
1943-2007
Abstract
Ruth Westerman was a dancer and a dance teacher in Pittsburgh. She performed with the now defunct Contemporary Dance Association (CDA), and she taught at the Arts and Crafts Center, now the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. In 1986, she developed Silver Motion, a program for teaching creative movement to elderly adults. Materials in the collection include news clippings, programs, photographs and correspondence.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Kelly J. Smith.
Ruth Westerman was a dancer and a dance teacher in Pittsburgh. She was born on April 1, 1929, in Detroit, to Max C. and Belle (Levin) Levy, who decided to return to Pittsburgh when Westerman was a toddler. Her lifelong passion for dance began when she started taking dance classes at age four and continued while she studied at, and later taught at, the Genevieve Jones Dance Studio. Westerman continued to pursue her interest in dance by majoring in physical education at the University of Pittsburgh, by performing with the Pitt Players at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, and by dancing with the CDA. After graduating from college in 1951, she taught physical education at Wightman Elementary School while performing with the CDA and teaching dance classes at the Arts and Crafts Center. The CDA disbanded in the early 1950s, but Westerman continued to teach at the Center and later at Dance Alloy, a professional modern dance company in Pittsburgh.
After forty years of performing and teaching dance to children, Westerman became interested in teaching creative movement to the elderly, as a way to provide interesting physical exercise that would improve their lives. Her interest led her to develop Silver Motion, a program of creative movement for elderly adults in which teenagers participate. Westerman taught workshops herself and taught caregivers at adult daycare centers and nursing homes how to lead the program without her. She promoted Silver Motion at conferences on aging across the country.
While teaching dance, Westerman raised a family and participated in other activities. She married Robert Westerman on December 23, 1954. They had three children: Jeffrey, Mark and Diane. She is currently married to J. Robert Myers. Her other activities included serving on the board of directors of the Pittsburgh Dance Council and researching and presenting the history of Frank and Seder's Department Store where her uncle Abe Seder was president.
Scope and Content Notes
The collection is stored in one archival box, two shelf volumes, and one oversized folder and is arranged into five series: History, Performing, Teaching, Photographs and Oversize Materials. The Teaching series is divided into two groups: Children's Classes and Silver Motion. The Photographs series is divided into two groups except for the first five folders. The groups are Children's Classes and Silver Motion. Materials in the collection include class plans, class rolls, a scrapbook depicting her performing career, Silver Motion promotional materials, correspondence, newspaper clippings and photographs.
Conditions Governing Access
None
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Ruth Westerman in December 2011.
Acquisition #2011.0330
Preferred Citation
Ruth Westerman Papers and Photographs, 1943-2007, MSS #710, Rauh Jewish Archives, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Kelly J. Smith in February 2012.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
