Born: March 27, 1897 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Died: April 16, 1981
Biography:
Effa Louise Manley (née Brooks; March 27, 1897 – April 16, 1981) was an American sports executive. She co-owned the Newark Eagles baseball franchise in the Negro leagues with her husband Abe Manley from 1935 to 1948. Throughout that time, she served as the team’s business manager and fulfilled many of her husband’s duties as treasurer of the Negro National League. In 2006, she posthumously became the first (and, to date, only) woman inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, chosen by the Special Committee on Negro Leagues for her work as an executive.
Early life:
Effa Manley was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she attended school. In 1916, she graduated from Penn Central High School, completing vocational training there in cooking, oral expression, and sewing. She entered the hatmaking business. Manley’s racial background is not completely known. Her biological parents may have been white, but she was raised by her black stepfather and her mother. The racial background of Manley’s mother Bertha Cole Brooks (née Ford) is contested. Most books say Bertha was German, but Effa claimed her maternal grandfather was Native American, while in reality, he was German. Bertha is listed as black on many censuses and documents, although this could have been due to census takers and biases. No African ancestry has been proven conclusively.
Effa Manley’s stepfather was considered to be her biological father, and therefore she is often classified as black. However, some sources suggest that she was a white woman who passed as black. Regardless of her ethnic origins, Effa Manley thought of herself as a black woman and was perceived by all who knew her as just that. In an interview she gave, she seemed to enjoy the confusion her skin color created. For example, when her husband Abe Manley took her to Tiffany’s in New York for an engagement ring, she remarked at how every salesgirl in the store was on hand to get a glimpse of this old Negro man buying this young white girl a five-carat ring and how she got a kick out of it.
Newark Eagles:
Effa Manley married Abe Manley in 1935, and together they purchased the Newark Eagles baseball franchise in the Negro leagues that same year. As co-owner of the team, Effa became the business manager and was actively involved in every aspect of the franchise’s operations. Her keen business acumen and leadership skills quickly made her an essential figure in the success of the Newark Eagles.
Manley not only handled the team’s finances but also worked tirelessly to promote the Newark Eagles and the Negro leagues as a whole. She organized innovative marketing campaigns, including promotional events and double-headers, to boost the team’s attendance and revenue. Manley actively sought corporate sponsorships and formed partnerships with local businesses to secure additional funding and resources for the Eagles.
In addition to her business prowess, Effa Manley also played a crucial role in player development and player welfare. She advocated for fair treatment and improved conditions for the players, negotiating better contracts and ensuring they were paid and cared for appropriately. Manley’s dedication to the well-being of the players earned her their respect and admiration.
Throughout her tenure as co-owner, the Newark Eagles experienced great success on the field. Under Manley’s guidance, the team won the Negro National League championship in 1946 and went on to win the first Negro League World Series later that year. This victory solidified the Newark Eagles’ status as one of the premier teams in the Negro leagues and brought national recognition to Effa Manley’s leadership and management skills.
Effa Manley’s impact extended beyond the world of baseball. She actively fought against racial segregation in the sport and championed equal rights for all players. Manley used her platform and influence to advocate for the desegregation of Major League Baseball, recognizing that the exclusion of black players from the major leagues was a grave injustice. Her tireless efforts helped pave the way for the integration of baseball, which would eventually culminate in Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in 1947.
Awards:
– Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006, becoming the first woman to receive this honor for her work as an executive in the Negro leagues.
Effa Manley’s remarkable achievements as a sports executive, her commitment to equality and justice, and her indomitable spirit make her a true trailblazer and an inspirational figure in American history. Her legacy continues to resonate, reminding us of the power of determination and the importance of breaking down barriers for future generations.