Chicago artist brings women’s baseball history to downtown Rockford with new exhibit

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Downtown Rockford is getting a new look at women’s baseball history through an exhibit by Chicago artist Margie Lawrence. Her show, “Amazons of the Diamond”, features portraits of stars from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, including members of the Rockford Peaches.

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The exhibit also serves as the kickoff for Rockford’s Women’s Baseball World Cup celebration.

Lawrence said the women who played in the league were tougher than many people realize, even while being expected to keep a traditionally “ladylike” appearance on the field.

“They put them in skirts,” Lawrence said. “And they had to wear lipstick and tweeze their eyebrows and act like ladies. And it’s hard to play baseball with lipstick and a skirt on, but they did it quite well.”