All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Panel Discussion

This panel discussion will take place at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum on Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Autographs and merch will be available both before and after the event!
Visit Springfield’s History Comes Alive program and the Sangamon Valley Collection at Lincoln Library are partnering to present a special panel discussion celebrating the legacy of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) and the women who shaped it. The event supports the Sangamon Valley Collection’s new exhibit, “100 Years of Women's Baseball and Softball in Sangamon County: 1875-1975”, now on display at the Sangamon County Building through November 2nd. Featured panelists include retired AAGPBL players Jeneane Lesko, Dolly Ozburn, and baseball league historian Merrie Fidler.
The live discussion will bring together women directly connected to the AAGPBL—former players, historians, and project collaborators—to share personal stories, reflect on the league’s cultural impact, and highlight ongoing efforts to preserve and elevate women’s baseball history.
“This year’s History Comes Alive programming is all about Celebrating America and the stories that have built our nation. This incredible evening will shine a spotlight on a unique and extraordinary chapter of our local and national story. The women of the AAGPBL were pioneers and continue to inspire athletes and fans of all ages,” said Darrin Thurman, Tourism Manager for Visit Springfield.
The exhibit—curated by Anna Sielaff of the Sangamon Valley Collection—highlights the stories, artifacts, and local connections to the groundbreaking women who played professional baseball during and after World War II. Featuring rare photographs, archival materials, and newly uncovered local ties to the league, the exhibit is open during regular business hours at the Sangamon County Building through November 2nd.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact: Darrin Thurman, Tourism Manager, Visit Springfield at darrin.thurman@springfield.il.us
For information specifically about the exhibit contact Anna Sielaff, Exhibit Curator, Sangamon Valley Collection at Anna.Sielaff@lincolnlibrary.info
Learn More: www.lincolnlibrary.info/event/all-american-girls-professional-baseball-league-panel-discussion-36443