Indy Chronicler

Mamie Johnson, the primary feminine pitcher within the Negro Leagues, was honored on Saturday with the renaming of an intersection in Washington, D.C. The intersection of Naylor Place and Georgia Avenue NW is now often known as “Mamie Johnson Approach.”

Nicknamed “Peanut,” Johnson was born in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1935. She started taking part in baseball at a younger age and was shortly acknowledged for her expertise. In 1953, Johnson signed with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues. She performed for the Clowns for 2 seasons, assembling a file of 33-10.

Johnson’s achievements on the sphere had been phenomenal, however she additionally confronted appreciable challenges as a black girl in a male-dominated sport. Johnson was subjected to racism and sexism, however she continued and advanced into a job mannequin for different girls who wished to partake within the sport.

Peanut Johnson’s legacy was honored Oct. 14 with a ceremony attended by her household, pals and former teammates. Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., spoke on the ceremony and praised Johnson for her braveness and dedication.

“Mamie Johnson was a pioneer in girls’s sports activities,” Bowser stated. “She broke down boundaries and confirmed the world that girls can do something they set their minds to.”

The renaming of the intersection is a deserved tribute to Johnson’s legacy. It’s a reminder of her triumphs and the integral position she performed within the historical past of baseball.

Sadly, Johnson handed away on December 17, 2017.

Contact multi-media workers author Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Observe him on Twitter @3Noral. For extra information courtesy of the Indianapolis Recorder, click on here. You can even try the Indiana Minority Enterprise Journal by clicking here.