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(Photo by Al Tielemans /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
The first woman to pitch in the Negro Leagues and a two-way player, Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, will be memorialized by having a D.C. intersection (Dave Thomas Circle) named after her.
While the D.C. City Council still needs to approve the renaming Mayor Bowser said about the project, “Our community is ready to start a new chapter at this intersection, and we are off to a strong start by naming it after such an iconic woman.”
“Mamie ‘Peanut’ Johnson was a pioneer. Now, it is fitting that her name will represent these new spaces where residents and visitors can rest and play. I thank the Noma BID for engaging the public and going through a thoughtful process of renaming this intersection,” Bowser added.
Who is Mamie Johnson?
The trailblazing athlete pitcher played for the Indianapolis Clowns from 1953-1955. She entered the Negro Leagues as the Black players began to integrate into the MLB. Ironically, she had been rejected by the all-white female league because she was Black. Although Johnson was the only woman to pitch in the Negro Leagues, there were two other women who also played baseball with the men.
Johnson also proudly boasted that she learned how to throw her famous curveball from baseball great Satchel Paige.
“Tell you the truth, I didn’t know of his greatness that much. He was just another ballplayer to me at that particular time. Later on, I found out exactly who he was,” she explained.
Source: Black Enterprise
