Women with balls
History would tell us that billiards was quite popular to women even as far back as the 15th century. One of the most prominent fans of the sport was Mary I of Scotland, popularly known as Mary, Queen of Scots. As the story goes, when she was awaiting her execution due to her involvement in the attempted assassination of Queen Elizabeth I, she requested that a billiard table be placed inside her prison cell. It is also said that one her last wishes was to have her beheaded body wrapped in the billiard table's cloth. But despite the popularity of the sport to women, men did not recognize them as equals in playing the game, not at first. Women were forced to use the more awkward mace instead of the already well accepted cue sticks.
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Women were believed to be incapable of using the sharper cue sticks and were perceived to be more likely to tear the billiard table's cloth with the cue. Also, male players, family members and friends alike were usually the first ones to object to women playing billiards. This hindered their growth in terms of experience and skill. |
Nevertheless, not even the harsh atmosphere in the billiard halls prevented women from playing the game. They played, and played and played until they were recognized as highly competent to compete in the game. In fact, there are some great women players that come to mind. These are May Kaarlus with her almost magical trick shots; Ruth McGinnis who could beat most top men players; grandmother Dorothy Wise who at the age of 70 won the first five U.S. Open tournaments; and Jean Balukas who won the next seven U.S Opens. The number of women players who wanted to turn pro increased year after year which led to the creation of an all professional women's league, the Women Pro Billiards Alliance. Professional billiard players Palmer Byrd and Madelyn Whitlow formed the organization in 1976. With the help of Larry Miller, editor of the National Billiard News, the organization aimed to help women players enter the pro scene. The organization, now known as the Women Pro Billiards Association, continues to support women players up to this day. With the creation of the WPBA, the game of billiards was introduced to a wider audience and brought greater opportunities for women players worldwide.
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