Elaine Weddington Steward

As a teen growing up in New York City, Steward was hired by New York Mets outfielder Félix Millán. She won the Jackie Robinson Foundation program scholarship in sports management, and went on to attend St. John's University in Queens, New York. She graduated with honors earning a bachelor's degree in Athletic Administration in 1984.[1] She then went on to St. John's University School of Law and graduated with a J.D. degree in 1987.[2]

While Steward was stil in school, she was an intern in the New York Mets' public relations department under Peter Ueberroth. In 1988 she was hired by the Boston Red Sox working as an associate counsel. In 1990 she was promoted to assistant general manager for the Boston Red Sox. becoming the first African American woman and second female minority to hold an executive position in major league baseball.[3][4]

Steward was selected as one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Leaders of Boston" in 1999, by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. She was also elected into the YWCA's Academy of Women Achievers. During her time at St John’s University she received the Outstanding Alumna Award from the Black Alumni Association and the St. John’s University President’s Medal.  Later on, she went on to receive the National Association of Black Journalists Sports Task Force’s Sam Lacy Pioneer Award, and the Jackie Robinson Foundation Sports Management award and scholarship.[2] Steward was featured in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's "Women in Baseball" exhibit in Cooperstown, New York.[5]