Elaine Weddington Steward | |
|---|---|
| Born | Elaine Weddington 1963 (age 62–63)[1] |
| Alma mater | St. John's University St. John's University School of Law |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Employer | Boston Red Sox (1988–present) |
| Spouse | Chuck Steward |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame (2024) |
Elaine Weddington Steward (born 1963) is an American lawyer working for theBoston Red Sox ofMajor League Baseball (MLB) as an assistantgeneral manager. She is an inductee of theBoston Red Sox Hall of Fame.
As a teen growing up inNew York City, Steward was aNew York Mets fan, and often was a babysitter foroutfielderFélix Millán.[2] She won theJackie Robinson Foundation programscholarship in sports management, and went on to attendSt. John's University inQueens, New York. She graduated with honors earning a bachelor's degree in Athletic Administration in 1984.[3] She then went on toSt. John's University School of Law and graduated with aJ.D. degree in 1987.[4]
While Steward remained in school, she was anintern in the New York Mets'public relations department underPeter Ueberroth.
In 1988, Steward was hired by theBoston Red Sox as an associate counsel; she was promoted to assistantgeneral manager in January 1990.[5][6] She became the firstAfrican American woman, and second female minority, to hold an executive position for a major-league baseball team.[7]
As of 1997, Steward and her husband, Chuck, had three children.[2]
Steward was selected as one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Leaders of Boston" by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce in 1999. She was also elected into theYWCA'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 theNational Association of Black Journalists Sports Task Force’s Sam Lacy Pioneer Award, and the Jackie Robinson Foundation Sports Management award and scholarship.[4]
Steward was featured in theNational Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's "Women in Baseball" exhibit inCooperstown, New York.[8] She was inducted to theBoston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2024.[9]