The African American Woman Golfer: Her Legacy

Book info: The African American Woman Golfer: Her Legacy (Hardcover, 216 pages) – Praeger, 2007. Language: English.

The African American Woman Golfer: Her Legacy gives a brief historical overview of African American women in golf and examines the sport to uncover all African American women who have been involved in golf over the past 75 years. M. Mikell Johnson shows how these women-who were seemingly far removed from the white, male, privileged world of the country club-broke both color and gender barriers to become golfers. This book traces the history of how African American women got involved in golf. Title VI and Title IX alleviated some of the racial and financial burdens for some young women in high school and college athletics, allowing them to participate in all sports regardless of race, creed, or gender. Women's clubs also provided a stable foundation for female athletes in male-dominated sports. The misinformation, social apathy, financial encumbrances, and, finally, the role of the media in both promoting and preventing black women's opportunities in golf are discussed.The African American Woman Golfer: Her Legacy identifies over 300 women and their lives in golf. The author also profiles prominent golfers such as Althea Gibson, who crossed the LPGA color line; Helen Webb Harris, who created the first club for black women golfers; and Ann Gregory, who broke the USGA whites only clause in women's golf.

Editorial Reviews Review

“Using research from African American newspapers and records from black golf clubs and associations, she provides a number of brief biographies of both pioneering and recent African American female golfers. She includes lists of African American female golfers, winners of tournaments, and newspaper articles with photographs, along with photographs and notes….Johnson calls for more support of black female golfers and for more scholarly research on the topic. Recommended. All readers, all levels.” ―Choice

“When we think of golfers, we do not think of African-American women. Yet this book shows us that there have been skilled African-American women in golf. Part of the problem is that the deck is stacked against them: they have been discriminated against due to both race and sex. And, according to this very interesting and revealing book, African-American men have also not been supportive of African-American women golfers….[A] very useful book that sheds light on something most of us may not have thought about: the African-American woman golfer, and her achievements and problems in society.” ―MultiCultural Review

About the Author M. Mikell Johnson has been playing golf for over 30 years. She is a member of the Traces Women's Golf Club and her USGA handicap is 25. She earned academic degrees from South Carolina State University, Hunter College, NYC, and Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. She has been a research scientist at the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute, the College of Physicians & Surgeons, Squibb, Schering-Plough, Ciba-Geigy, and the FDA. Dr. Johnson enjoys playing golf and being a volunteer at the major tournaments. This is her first book.