Jan. 31, 2007 — Sharon Robinson, the daughter of legendary baseball icon Jackie Robinson, will be on island during Black History Month to visit with school groups and other guests, according to a release from the Friends of the Elaine I. Sprauve Library.
As the first black player to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947, Robinson was able to overcome prejudice from fans and players alike and was duly elected to the prestigious National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility.
The Friends of the Library, The Westin Resort and The Pond Bay Club are sponsoring Robinson’s visit to St. John to highlight the importance of Black History Month and its impressive list of honorees around the world to Virgin Islanders of all ages.
Highlights of the Friends' tribute to Jackie Robinson include a picture-drawing exhibition for first-, second- and third-graders and a short essay expose for fourth- thru ninth-graders.
Based on Sharon Robinson’s book, Jackie’s Nine, Jackie Robinson’s Values to Live By, students will incorporate one of the nine values in their work. These include: courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment, and excellence.
The first six essay entrants from each grade will receive a copy of the book, and all essays and pictures will be displayed on the first floor of The Marketplace beginning the Saturday prior to Robinson's arrival on Feb. 14 and throughout Black History Month.
Additionally, a documentary of Robinson's extraordinary life, "The Jackie Robinson Story," will be shown daily during the month of February at the library at 3:30 p.m. or by appointment as requested for school groups or other organizations.
Other events include:
–Feb. 14: Robinson will speak at the library at 3:30 p.m. to students, teachers and parents about the importance of youths’ values and strategies in life;
–Feb. 15: Robinson will attend the library’s weekly children’s story hour for pre-schoolers from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Her visit to St. John will culminate as the featured speaker at the Friends’ Annual Meeting at the Library on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. All Virgin Islanders and island visitors are welcome to attend.
Sharon Robinson is the author of several books for young readers, including Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America and her newest book, Safe at Home, a novel.
For more information on scheduling a special viewing of “The Jackie Robinson Story” at the library, books on Jackie Robinson’s extraordinary life, Sharon Robinson’s visit to St. John or other Friends of the Library initiatives, please call Carol McGuinness at 776-6359.
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