Not for men only: a number of women are making major contributions to the national pastime

Ebony, Oct, 1998

A number of women are making major contributions to the national pastime

WHEN the Tampa Bay Devil Rays made its debut this year, it became the newest team to join the American League and made a bit of history in the process--its ownership group includes an African-American woman, the only Black woman who enjoys that distinction in Major League Baseball.

With P.J. Benton's investment in the expansion team, the Tampa businesswoman entered an area that allows her to bring a new perspective, new ideas and a new approach to the national pastime.

In a game that features an all-male cast on the field, Benton joins a list of other African-American women who make valuable, off-the-field contributions to baseball by bringing their own expertise, unique style and insight to the sport. Although players such as Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds and Tony Gwynn are among the game's best-known ambassadors who play the game, working out of the spotlight are a number of African-American women who serve baseball in a variety of significant roles--from marketing the game to educating youngsters to reaching out to the community and making sure Major League Baseball lives up to its obligations.

On the following pages is a collection of dynamic women who represent, in part, torchbearers and role models who are at the center of a changing sports world.

Sharon Robinson

Director of Educational Programming

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Sharon Robinson is the director of educational programming for Major League Baseball, a position that requires her to develop and implement Major League Baseball's In-School programs (above). Her efforts have included the creation of "Breaking Barriers: It's a Complete Game." an education program which uses the inspiring exploits of legendary Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson (Sharon's father) to teach students about human values and ideals. Working ill conjunction with the big-league teams, the program--which also concentrates on math, language arts, geography and fine arts--includes school visits by current and former major league players. Before joining Major League Baseball, Sharon, a nurse midwife for 20 years, was an assistant professor at Yale University School of Nursing and also was a member of the staffs at Columbia, Howard and Georgetown universities. The author of the book, Stealing Home, has been an executive member of the board of directors of the Jackie Robinson Foundation since 1976. A graduate of Howard University who earned a master's degree from Columbia University, she also is a member of the board of trustees of the American College of Nurse-Midwives Foundation.

P.J. Benton

Part-owner

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

After accumulating more than 25 years of business experience, P.J. Benton decided to expand her horizons and invest in the Tampa Bay expansion team. She is president of three of her own businesses--P.J.J.D. Enterprises, Uniworld Management Services, Inc., and Celestial Consolidated, Inc. In addition, she is a Pizza Hut licensee and owner/partner of the Bayside Eatery in Tampa. Benton, who has a bachelor of science degree in accounting, graduated magna cum laude from Florida A&M University in 1973. Following graduation, she held several management positions at Southern Bell Telephone in Jacksonville, Fla., before she became a McDonald's restaurant franchisee, where (during an eight-year period) she received a number of awards, including the A.G. Gaston National Business League Award, a Women of Achievement Award and the Yellow Rose Award, citing her as a positive role model. In 1988, she was nominated as the Small Business Person of the Year.

Elaine Weddington Steward

Vice President, Assistant General Manager and Legal Counsel

BOSTON RED SOX

Elaine Weddington Steward was named a vice president of the Boston Red Sox on January 30, adding to her responsibilities as assistant general manager and legal counsel. She joined the team as associate counsel in July 1988 and was named assistant general manager in January 1990. The native New Yorker graduated with honors from St. John's Univerisity in 1984 with a bachelor of science degree in athletic administration. While attending college, the recipient of the prestigious Jackie Robinson Foundation Sports Management Scholarship served as an intern for the New York Mets public relations department and was a member of the St. Vincent's College Honor Society. After graduation from St. John's University School of Law in 1987, Steward served as an intern in the office of the commissioner of baseball through the executive development program. She currently serves as a board overseer for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston.

Rubye M. Lucas

Member of the board of directors

ATLANTA BRAVES

Rubye M. Lucas is a member of the board of directors of the Atlanta Braves, the 1995 World Series champions. The chairperson of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority also is director of community relations for Turner Broadcasting System, where she serves as the company's primary community liaison, overseeing the development and implementation of all community relations and employee volunteer projects for Turner Broadcasting. From 1991 to 1996, Lucas served as the company's executive-on-loan for The Atlanta Project, a resident-directed community initiative of former President Jimmy Carter and The Carter Center. The Fort Myers, Fla., native--a former schoolteacher who has a social science degree from Florida A& M University and a master's degree in education from Atlanta University--also is president of the board of directors of the Bill Lucas Scholarship Foundation, which honors her late husband, William D. Lucas, who was general manager of the Atlanta Braves from 1976 until his death in 1979. The foundation, which provides college scholarships to high school students who excel in academics and varsity baseball, also provides funds for metro Atlanta community service projects.