Legacy Project / Eve Gentry

Eve Gentry Timeline

1909

Born Henrietta Greenhood on August 20, 1909 in San Bernardino, California.

1917

Began to study ballet, folk, and ballroom dance.

1928

Moved to San Francisco to begin studying modern dance.

1936

Moved to New York where she began a dance career with the Hanya Holm Company.

1938

Choreographed her most famous piece Tenant of the Street.

1942

Married her childhood friend, Bruce Gentry, and chose the professional name "Eve Gentry."

1944

Danced and choreographed for her own company, Eve Gentry Dancers and taught at the High School for Performing Arts and The New Dance Group. After persistent back and knee issues, she began to study with Joseph Pilates.

1955

Had a radical mastectomy - so much muscle was removed, she couldn't lift her arms. At the suggestion of some doctors, she and Joe filmed him teaching her advanced Pilates exercises to show to the hospital for an alliance. The hospital accused them of lying. They filmed again with her shirtless so the hospital could see they were telling the truth.

1968

Moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where she opened her own dance studio and Pilates center.

1991

Co-founded The Institute for Pilates Method.

1994

Died on June 17, 1994 at the age of 84.

Comments

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Maryam

2 people like this.

May her soul rest in peace ❤️

6 years ago

Elaine D

3 people like this.

Eve was the Pilates Elder who most deeply lived beside Joe Pilates. She spent 30 years working with him (1938/1968) and shared maybe the hardest moments of her life (the mastectomy) being treated by his hands and movements.

5 years ago

Dimitrina G

(Edited by Moderator - Kristi Cooper on September 24, 2025)
I am filled with admiration for Eve Gentry’s strength of character. What a blessing it was for her, in those difficult moments, to have Joseph Pilates himself by her side during her recovery. Are there any documented exercises that Joseph Pilates gave to Eve Gentry to restore the movements of her arms? I would be very grateful if someone could provide more clarity. I’m sure it’s not only interesting for me, but it could also be helpful for more people who have gone through a mastectomy.

26 days ago

Kristi Cooper

1 person likes this.

(Edited by Moderator - Kristi Cooper on September 24, 2025)
Dimitrina G Thank you for your question!

I don't think there is anything published in terms of the specific exercises Mr. Pilates gave Eve Gentry during her recovery from her Mastectomy surgery, but you can hear in her own words,
and see part of the story HERE ( It begins at the 3:49 minute mark).

In the second video you'll hear Eve speaking to the silent video many of us have seen ( the description under the video will explain the context). In the THIS video, Eve explains some of the homework she was given by JHP after her Mastectomy in 1955.

I hope this helps and am grateful for your curiosity!

25 days ago