I got this book from Netgalley so I can read and review it before it’s published.
In 1977 at the World Series, Melissa Ludtke, a writer for Sports Illustrated was denied access to the locker rooms by the Commissioner of Baseball, Bowie Kuhn. You mustn’t go in as there may be naked players, but you can stay outside the door and somebody who works for the team will get the players you want to interview. This didn’t work for her. Most players were done talking to the media and also she couldn’t see what happens in the locker room before and after games. Did this player really shed a tear when they talked about the winning run. Was there a heated discussion amongst teammates? What was the ambiance like? Melissa wasn’t able to see or hear any of this. The parent company of Sports Illustrated was Time Inc, and they sued for discrimination as they wanted equal rights to what the men had.
This books tells her story of the trial and her personal story. It was really awesome to learn that the Judge, Constance Motley, was one of the first black female judges in the country to hold higher positions. She was a key part of the Civil Rights Movement and was an aide to Thurgood Marshall in and helped him with the Brown Vs Board of Education case.
Melissa’s lawyer was Frederick A.O. Schwarz Jr. She called him Fritz and he was the great grandson of Frederick A.O. Schwartz, the founder of the mega toy store, F.A.O Schwarz.
Even though it was a bit too much legal jargon regarding the case for me, the dialog from the courtroom was interesting.
Oh, she won the case! Yay! I can’t even believe that at one point, females weren’t allowed to access locker rooms – how stupid are people to deny that.
