Judge Sylvia Pressler: Opened Little League to Girls

Until the early 1970s, girls were not allowed to play Little League Baseball. The barriers for these girls were broken down in 1973 with a court ruling in favor of the National Organization of Women. This was a great accomplishement, largely in thanks to Sylvia B. Pressler, who was a hearrings officer that ruled on the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights. She died on February 15, at the age of 75, in New Jersey. The New York Times ran a full article on their website summarizing her career and death. She continually worked as a judge at the New Jersey state apellate court. I found this article to be interesting as well as important. Pressler was a unique woman and honorable judge, who served and made decisions based on justice and civil rights.

The article continues to state that Judge Pressler wrote hundreds of opinions throughout the decades that have led to more equal rights for women. Her experience as a judge spanded over 31 years. Pressler’s decision in the 1973 case resulted from an incident involving a young girl who had played a few games for a Hoboken Little League team. The article mentions that the national little league officials found out about the girl’s participation and were appalled, threatening to remove the local league’s charter if the girl continued to play. Upon hearing the news, the National Organization for Women took legal action and sued the Little League on behalf of the girl. This was an incredible milestone for young girls not only in New Jersey, but for women’s civil rights all over the nation. Though, it was a minor league sport, it is obvious that at this time there was much to overcome for women to enter in traditional sports.

Pressler ruled in favor of the girl and the National Organization for Women. The ruling was upheld by the New Jersey Appellate Court, as a result, in 1974 Little League Baseball agreed to allow girls to play and even started a softball division especially for girls.
In the article it quotes her as saying this in her 1973 decision:
“[…]Little League is as American as the hot dog and apple pie,” Pressler ruled, “There is no reason why that part of Americana should be withheld from girls.”
Link to article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/nyregion/17pressler.html

Reference:
Weber, Bruce (2010, Februaury 16). New York Times. Judge Sylvia Pressler, Who Opened Little League to Girls, Dies at 75. March 4, 2010: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/nyregion/17pressler.html

Posted By: Bianca Palos KIN 338i SEC 04