Effa Manley has finally made it to the big leagues. Last week, she became the first woman elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
"This is a historic day," said the Hall's president, Dale Petroskey.
Manley and her hus-band, Abe, owned the Newark Eagles baseball team from 1935 to 1948. The New Jersey team was made up of black players who were not allowed to play in the all-white Major Leagues.She used America's favorite pastime to shine the light on civil-rights issues. Manley, along with 16 others from the Negro Leagues and the pre-Negro Leagues, will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame in July.