Brown, Patricia I. 1931–

PERSONAL: Born April 23, 1931, in Charlestown, MA; daughter of Joseph R., Sr., and Harriet (Taylor) Brown. Education: Suffolk University, B.A., 1955, J.D., 1965, M.B.A., 1970; Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, M.T.S., 1977. Religion: Congregationalist. Hobbies and other interests: Old-time radio programs, reading, supporting the Boston Red Sox.

ADDRESSES: Home—1100 Governors Dr., No. 26, Winthrop, MA 02152-3254. E-mail—pbrown@suffolk.edu.

CAREER: Writer. Rustcraft Publishing Co., Boston, MA, typist, 1948–49; All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, pitcher for Kenosha Comets, Chicago Colleens, and Battle Creek Belles, 1950–51; Suffolk University, Boston, MA, began as library aide, became associate law librarian, 1951–92, associate law librarian emeritus, 1992–, founder, coach, and player on women's basketball team, 1951–55. Admitted to the bar, State of Massachusetts, 1965. Lynn PAL Colleens (women's softball team), player, 1952–54; East Boston Collegiates (women's softball team), player and manager, 1955–57; Jets (women's basketball team), player and coach, 1955–56. Speaker to groups of school children; Winthrop Senior Center, volunteer counselor; Council on Aging, volunteer.

MEMBER: Association of American Law Libraries.

AWARDS, HONORS: Inducted into National Baseball Hall of Fame, 1988; award for outstanding services in women's sports, Women's Sports Foundation, 1990; inducted into National Girls and Women in Sports Hall of Fame, 1993.

WRITINGS:

A League of My Own: Memoir of a Pitcher for the Ail-American Girls Professional Baseball League, McFarland (Jefferson, NC), 2003.

Contributor to periodicals, including Reminisce Extra and Law Library Journal.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Prisoner of War #3959, with Ralph Sirianni; a book on the twenty-first century.

SIDELIGHTS: Patricia I. Brown told CA: "At the age of eight I discovered that I liked to write. From grade school through college and law school, I continued to write essays, short stories, and term papers for class. I loved to write and still have many of those early attempts at writing. I never sent anything out for publication.

"When I became a lawyer and law librarian, I bought a house and was taking care of my mother and bringing up a nephew. I loved them dearly and put writing aside to work and care for them. Years later, when my mother died and my nephew was married with three children, I began to get the writing urge again. In 2001, when I began writing my first book, A League of My Own: Memoir of a Pitcher for the Ail-American Girls Professional Baseball League, I wanted to tell my story about what it was like to play in the league. I was inspired to write because, while there were some books written about the league, so far no former player had written one. I was able to write about my experiences, what it was like actually to be playing girls' professional baseball, and what the experience meant to my future.

"As for my writing process, when I get an idea for a short story or a book, I just write and write. My mind writes the book faster than I can make corrections. The words seem to tumble out onto the page. I write the story and then go back over the material to proofread, research any needed material, and make the necessary corrections. Sometimes, with corrections and changes, I have to do a third draft, but the story itself is all there.

"I have also coauthored a book tentatively titled Prisoner of War #3959, about an American World War II veteran who was shot down over Germany in 1944 and spent fifteen months as a prisoner of war. The book was inspired by coauthor and ex-prisoner-of-war Ralph Sirianni. He has a compelling story to tell, and I wanted to help him tell it. Our last chapter also covers the problems veterans are experiencing today; Veterans Administration medical facilities are closing, and many veterans struggle with increased copayments, deductibles, and premiums. The chapter also covers a brief history of medical benefits for veterans over the years and over many wars.

"My third book will be about some aspects of the twenty-first century."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

Brown, Patricia I., A League of My Own: Memoir of a Pitcher for the Ail-American Girls Professional Baseball League, McFarland (Jefferson, NC), 2003.

ONLINE

A League of My Own Home Page, http://www.aleagueofmyown.com (February 27, 2005).