Women in – and out – of the Olympic Games, from Greece's Olympia to Paris. And Willie Mays died this week just before the MLB returned to his minor league ballpark to honor Negro Leaguers.
And before yesterday, count me among those who didn't know anything about either the women's Greek games or Alice Milliat. Reminds me of all of the hidden history of women's lives waiting to be unearthed. Thanks for taking time to comment.
History is cool, and I wish when I was a baseball reporter/writer at SI I had thought more about the history of the games and players I was covering. As I said about Reggie, as I heard him talk about the deep pain he carries still, I so wish I'd thought to talk with him about this then. Should have occurred to me, as I was going through my own discriminatory treatment -- not even close to what he experienced in the Jim Crow South but alas, it didn't. So many other instances, too. I enjoy reading your Substack for its history, too!
The idea that women are fragile—when we literally give birth and suckle new life—is so absurd!!!! Thank you for this historic perspective on how far we have come (and not)
And before yesterday, count me among those who didn't know anything about either the women's Greek games or Alice Milliat. Reminds me of all of the hidden history of women's lives waiting to be unearthed. Thanks for taking time to comment.
History is cool, and I wish when I was a baseball reporter/writer at SI I had thought more about the history of the games and players I was covering. As I said about Reggie, as I heard him talk about the deep pain he carries still, I so wish I'd thought to talk with him about this then. Should have occurred to me, as I was going through my own discriminatory treatment -- not even close to what he experienced in the Jim Crow South but alas, it didn't. So many other instances, too. I enjoy reading your Substack for its history, too!
I do, too! I learned so much by following an idea!
Before I went into this rabbit hole of history. I knew none of this. Sadly. Some of these perspectives still show up today.
Good stuff. Isn't history cool?
(Got to chat with Alice Coachman--leading up to the '96 Atlanta Games, I think. Great moment for me.)
Interesting history. Who knew?
Great stuff, Melissa, I love the history!
The idea that women are fragile—when we literally give birth and suckle new life—is so absurd!!!! Thank you for this historic perspective on how far we have come (and not)