Breaking Barriers: Remembering The All American Girls Professional Baseball League
Breaking Barriers: Remembering The All American Girls Professional Baseball League
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This year marks the 35 th anniversary of Title IX. Meet two of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, young ladies of the 19th century who played the game long before they even had the right to vote.
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This year marks the 35 th anniversary of Title IX. Meet two of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, young ladies of the 19th century who played the game long before they even had the right to vote. Each lady teaches an important lesson in the story of gals who gave their all so that boys and girls can play side-by-side today. When the All American Girls Professional Baseball League opened in the spring of 1943, the league received respectable reviews, and by the 1952 season audiences were highly impressed with the playing of the young women. Women have played baseball since the late 1800s, long before the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920 giving them the right to vote. In 1943, women continued breaking barriers in sports when the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was formed to keep baseball alive when many major league players were fighting in World War II. In 1943, Phillip Wrigley announced formation of the AAGPBL with four teams from the Midwest. By 1948, the AAGPBL had grown in popularity to 10 teams and one million fans. From 1943 to 1954, the AAGPBL was comprised of nearly 600 players from the United States, Canada and Cuba. Find out how two women from different backgrounds transformed their love of sports to making their dream come true. Students participating in this session will hear from and interact with: Gertrude Benner from Telford, PA: Although Gert only spent 1950 in the league playing for Kalamazoo, she had the opportunity to play in two of the traveling tours. In 1949 she toured with the Springfield Sallies and in 1950 with the Chicago Colleens. The highlight for her was playing in Yankee Stadium. An all-round athlete, she also excelled in basketball, softball & hockey. Ruth Richard from Ridge Valley, PA: Ruth Richard caught for the Rockford Peaches from 1947 - 54. MAGPI is very pleased to partner with Methacton High School for this event!
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