User:Elaine Weddington T1/sandbox

Elaine Weddington t1 (August 31, 1963- ) is the first African-American female to hold a senior position in a major league baseball organization. Weddington still is listed in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Museum's "Women in Baseball" exhibit located in Cooperstown, NY. Elaine Weddington created a pathway for women of color to rise through the ranks of baseball franchise

Early life
Elaine C Weddington was born on August 31, 1963, in Flushings, New York. Weddington grew up one subway stop from the New York Mets home ballpark, Shea Stadium. Weddington did not participate in any organized sports as a child however she often played wiffle ball with her two brothers at a neighborhood park in Flushing NY. It wasn’t until the mid-1970s when Weddington attended junior high school that she started to acquire an interest in baseball. This fascination began with Weddington being hired as a babysitter for the New York Mets player Felix Millian. Around the same time, Weddington also started to develop an interest in law after learning about the infamous case Brown v. Board of Education. While attending high school at John Bowne High School Weddington attended an eight-week summer course for students who were considering a career in sports called the Jackie Robinson Sports Management Workshop. Weddington became the recipient of the Jackie Robinson Sports Scholarship and used this scholarship to attend St. John’s University in Queens, New York.

Education/Achievements
Elaine Weddington graduated from St. John’s University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Administration with honors in 1984. While attending St. John’s University, Weddington was one of the recipients of the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship. After graduating with her bachelor’s, she continued her education at St.John’s University School of Law and graduated with a law degree in 1987. While attending college, Weddington interned for the New York Mets public relations department and the office of the commissioner. After she completed her law degree and during her intern for the New York Mets public relations department and the office of the commissioner, she took her new york state bar exam in 1988. Over the years, Weddington has accomplished and received many different awards throughout her life. Weddington received the St. John’s University President’s Medal and also received an outstanding alumna award from the black alumni association. After college, she received the National Association of Black Journalists’ Sam Lacy Pioneer Award. She also received the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Leading Women Award. Another award she received, Boston Business Journal Women of Influence Award. Weddington was selected as one of the ten outstanding young leaders of Boston in 1999. She was selected into the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers. Weddington was featured in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the Baseball exhibit in Cooperstown, New York.

Career
Elaine Weddington Steward began as an intern at the New York Mets Public relations office while still studying at Saint. John’s University through the Executive Development program. After graduating from St. John’s University School of Law she was hired by the Red Sox in 1988 as associate general counsel. Steward was then promoted to assistant general manager with Lou Gorman and Dan Duquette in 1990 making her one of the first African-American females to hold a senior position in a major baseball organization. She was named legal club counsel to the Red Sox in 1995 and in 1988 was appointed vice president of the organization, she currently still holds the position.

Legacy
When promoted to assistant general manager for the Boston Red Sox in 1990, Weddington became the first African American woman executive in professional baseball. Additionally, Weddington’s achievements led to her being the highest-ranking black female executive in Major League Baseball. She is just the second African American in history to be named an upper echelon post in the MLB. Her promotion in 1990 helped pave the way for other women being hired in the field of sports general management. That same year Weddington was selected as one the “Ten Outstanding Young Leaders of Boston” and has been elected into the YWCA’s Academy of Women Achievers. Weddington has also been featured in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Museum’s “Women in Baseball” exhibit located in Cooperstown, New York.

Personal Life
Weddington did not have much of a personal life. She was very consumed with her job as being a general manager of the Red Sox baseball team. Her great passion for the game and her work kept her involved in a very busy schedule sometimes. She spent her days negotiating with city officials over ballpark licenses, and construction permits so there was never really such thing as a regular day for her. When Weddington wasn’t doing this, during her offseason, she went to spring training camp and when she leaves her office to see a game, not only is she following the plays but she also makes mental notes on players preparing for the next year’s contract talks. So, for Weddington, it was just all work. There was no record of Weddington having a husband or children.