Well, now, I reckon ya wanna hear ’bout Sharon Robinson, don’t ya? She’s that girl, the only daughter of Jackie Robinson, the big fella who broke all them color barriers in baseball. Born on January 13, 1950, right there in New York City, Sharon’s got a story to tell, ya see. Her papa, Jackie, was out there playin’ baseball and changin’ history, while her mama, Rachel, was holdin’ down the homefront, raisin’ Sharon and her two brothers. Now, Rachel, she had a nursing degree, but she spent most of her time takin’ care of the family while Jackie was out on them ballfields.
Sharon, well, she didn’t just sit around. Nope, she went and made somethin’ of herself. She got interested in nursin’, somethin’ her grandma had a passion for, and decided to follow in them footsteps. By the time she was in junior high, she was workin’ as a nurse’s assistant at a local hospital. Now, that’s somethin’ to be proud of, don’t ya think?
But hold on, there’s more. Sharon didn’t just become a nurse or stay in the background. Nah, she had big dreams and wrote a book, wouldn’t ya believe it? Her book’s called Stealing Home: An Intimate Family Portrait by the Daughter of Jackie Robinson. That was in 1996. She told the world all about her family, and how life was growin’ up with a father who was more than just a baseball player. He was a trailblazer, a hero. And boy, did she have some stories to tell!
Now, Sharon’s not just a writer. She also worked with Major League Baseball (MLB), helpin’ out with education and teachin’ the young ones ’bout what her daddy stood for. She’s been involved in all sorts of things, includin’ the Jackie Robinson Foundation. That’s somethin’ that helps keep his memory alive, ya see, and teaches young people ’bout the importance of education and equality. She’s done a lot, that girl.
Oh, and don’t forget her family. Her papa, Jackie, well, he was a strong man, but his life wasn’t all sunshine. He and Rachel had three children—Sharon, her brother David, and her brother Jackie Jr. It was a tight-knit family, and they were always there for each other. But as with all families, not everything was perfect. Sharon’s brother, Jackie Jr., well, he went through some hard times and passed away young, which was a real tough thing for the family. It’s a heartbreak that Sharon carries with her, no doubt.
But Sharon, she carries on. She always does. She’s made her own way in this world and continues to honor her father’s legacy. She talks to schools, writes books, and helps out with the foundation. She’s made sure people don’t forget what Jackie Robinson did for the game of baseball, and for the country as a whole. She helps teach the younger generations what it means to stand up for what’s right, just like her daddy did.
Sharon’s story, well, it’s about more than just bein’ the daughter of a famous man. It’s about carryin’ on a legacy, workin’ hard, and fightin’ for the right things. She’s done a lot in her life, and she’s still doin’ it. So next time you hear someone talk about Jackie Robinson, you best not forget his daughter, Sharon. She’s just as much a part of that story as he was. And that’s the truth of it, plain and simple.
So if you ever get a chance, go read Sharon’s book. It’s called Child of the Dream: A Memoir of 1963. She talks about the struggles she faced as a young girl, growin’ up in the heat of the civil rights movement. And you’ll see just how strong this family was, even when times were tough. Sharon Robinson’s done right by her father, and she’ll keep doin’ it for years to come, I reckon.
Tags：[Sharon Robinson, Jackie Robinson, daughter of Jackie Robinson, Stealing Home, Jackie Robinson Foundation, civil rights, memoir, Child of the Dream, MLB, Jackie Robinson Day, African American history]
