(1942-
Inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, 1985
Growing up in Willimantic, Shapiro was active in athletics at Windham High School, taking part in the sports opportunities available to girls at that time. She was part of winning teams in the intramural program in badminton, basketball, softball and volleyball and officiated in volleyball, basketball and badminton. She was one of ten high school students selected to represent Windham High School at the University of Connecticut’s “Play Day,” an intercollegiate event for women’s athletics that emphasized “playing with” rather than “playing against” since competition for women was seen as less desirable than for men. Shapiro received a student award for participating in a Physical Fitness and Recreation test and an athletic letter and numerals for being on winning intramural teams.
Before college she spent her summers as Parks and Recreation supervisor in Willimantic and then as an athletic counselor at a Jewish camp in South Windham during summer. Shapiro graduated in 1964 with a BS in Physical Education from Boston University. She was selected as a student teacher for a pilot program in physical education, organizing the curriculum and program. She went on to teach Physical Education and coach basketball in Nashville public schools.
After having children Tara remained active in bowling and tennis as an athlete, organizer and tennis chair umpire. Shapiro was actively involved in her synagogue, B’nai Shalom of Newington, particularly in the Sisterhood and became an adult Bat Mitzvah in 1987. Shapiro also served as a piano accompanist to singers at many area Jewish events.