(Press Release) Did you get a chance to binge the new Amazon TV series “A League of Their Own”? Check this out!
Voted one of the top ten baseball movies of all time, the iconic 1992 film under the same title received a TV show remake with a bold new twist. The show, which started on August 12 captures the endearing tale of the original film highlighting the Rockford Peaches as one of the teams that were a part of the first female professional baseball league.
The twist? The Amazon version tells the Peaches’ narrative through additional lenses of race and sexuality that the movie did not explore, featuring Black, Hispanic and queer women throughout.
This year is the 30th anniversary of the movie as well as the premiere of the Amazon series. As a result, the Rockford, Illinois community has come together to celebrate its rich history as a city conducive to women’s empowerment with historical highlights throughout the community.
A new historical trail offers fans a nostalgic journey to experience places the famous baseball team frequented during their heyday. You can also learn more about the women’s baseball team who paved the way for women athletes and inspired others to join the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL).
However, Rockford’s roots of elevating women go beyond sports. Today, a host of female-owned businesses thrive in this city that is steadily attracting talent, and visitors and revitalizing its downtown.
Whether you’re a baseball fan, looking to inspire your children or in need of a friend’s getaway, the home of the Rockford Peaches is thriving with immersive experiences. Here are just a few things you can do:
A League of Their Own Fan Trail (See the full list here)
- Beyer Stadium: This stadium was once home to the Rockford Peaches from 1943 to 1954 and was referred to as “Peach Orchard” by the team. The historical field still holds within its stands the history of the iconic women’s baseball team, as well as the current successes of the Rockford Starfires.
- Midway Village Museum: Perhaps one of the most informative stops along the Peaches’ fan trail, the Midway Museum showcases the ‘Girls of Summer’ exhibit, preserving authentic Peaches memorabilia that tell the 12-year story of the team.
- Prairie St. Brewing Co: To end your sightseeing along the Peaches’ fan trail, sip on a Peach Wheat Beer — brewed to commemorate the iconic Rockford women’s baseball team — at Illinois’ oldest brewery.
Rockford Female-Owned Businesses
- SPoRT Makeup was born out of a desire to commemorate the Peaches’ 75th anniversary. Locally developed, the line features an entire array of Rockford Peaches-inspired makeup. The company is owned by the International Women’s Baseball Center, based in Rockford.
- When told she couldn’t start a chocolate business on her own, Susan Pitkin did it anyway. CacaoCuvee Chocolate has been featured in Oprah Winfrey’s magazine gift guide twice.
- It started with a crumbling building unknowingly laden with problems, but Emily Hurd’s drive to save a historical building and a community-backed Kickstarter campaign, she created The Norwegian, a warm, eclectic restaurant reflecting on Rockford’s Scandinavian roots.
- Chintana Sengchannavong immigrated to the United States from Thailand at age 11 as a refugee. Today, she’s the owner of Sisters Thai Café, but it’s been a long journey to get to here. Her mother and eight sisters moved to the U.S. with only one hundred dollars, and the talent for cooking authentic food.
