Ruth McGinnis (1911-1974)
Honesdale, Wayne County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Women's Pocket Billiard Champion of the World (1932-40), the best US woman player for over 30 years, and inductee in Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame. Defeated Babe Didrikson Zaharias and toured with Willie Mosconi. She got her start at her father's pool hall near here.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Ruth McGinnis learned the game at her father's pool hall in the Honesdale area and rose to become Women's Pocket Billiard Champion of the World from 1932 to 1940, widely regarded as the finest American woman player for more than three decades. She defeated the celebrated athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias and toured alongside legend Willie Mosconi, and she was later enshrined in the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.
Why it matters
In an era when few competitive sports welcomed women, McGinnis dominated a game long coded as male, expanding the public sense of what a female athlete could be.
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Related people
- · Ruth McGinnis
- · Babe Didrikson Zaharias
- · Willie Mosconi
Themes & tags
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