On July 28, Springfield will host a special panel discussion that shines a spotlight on the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the pioneering women’s circuit that entertained millions during World War II.
A Living Legacy on the Diamond
The event, held at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, brings together former league stars Jeneane Lesko and Dolly Ozburn, who will share personal recollections, alongside league historian Merrie Fidler, whose research has chronicled the league’s cultural impact.
The program is part of the Sangamon Valley Collection’s exhibit on women’s baseball and softball in Sangamon County, which features photographs, archival documents and stories of local players who helped shape the sport.
Visit Springfield tourism manager Darrin Thurman emphasized the panel’s role in celebrating "America’s stories," noting that the gathering connects past achievements with present-day appreciation for women in athletics.
Admission is free and open to the public, offering fans the chance to meet the guests for autographs and to purchase commemorative merchandise, while the exhibit remains on display in the Sangamon County Building through November 2.