Black History Month

 

Effa Manley was the first woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, on this day in 2006.

She was a sports executive and co-owner of the Newark Eagles in the Negro League.

She was a civil rights leader and an advocate for Black ballplayers.

Her racial background is uncertain though, and census takers may have been biased in assuming she was African American, being raised by a black stepfather.  She identified as black.

The Eagles' first game took place in 1935.  She ran day-to-day operations such as schedules, travel, payroll, contracts, equipment, publicity and promotions.  She was able to get New York City mayor, Fiorello La Guardia, to throw out the first pitch.

At this time, most blacks were barred from practicing medicine.  With money raised from the Eagles, the Booker T. Washington Community Hospital was opened, which offered training to black doctors and nurses.  They also raised money for black Elks lodges and other groups that promoted the welfare of Newark's black population.

In 1939, she organized Anti-Lynching Day at the ballpark, selling buttons that read, "Stop Lynching," to support efforts to pass federal anti-lynching legislation.

In 1946, the Eagles won the Negro League World Series.  In 1947, Larry Doby was signed to a minor league contract in Cleveland.  This was two years after Jackie Robinson had been signed, but Manley was critical of Dodgers' executive, Branch Rickey.  She didn't feel that Rickey was integrating due to civil rights causes, but rather seeking a business opportunity.

She died in 1981 and was living in a rest home run by former Negro League player, Quincy Trouppe.