Jean R. Yawkey | |
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| Born | (1909-01-24)January 24, 1909 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 26, 1992(1992-02-26) (aged 83) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Owner of theBoston Red Sox (1976–1992) |
| Spouse | Tom Yawkey |
| Awards | Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame (1995) |
Jean Remington Yawkey (January 24, 1909 – February 26, 1992) was the wife ofTom Yawkey and owner of theBoston Red Sox from 1976 to her death in 1992.
Jean Yawkey was born Jean Hollander inBrooklyn, New York. She grew up inFreeport, Long Island, and was aNew York City fashion model for ten years. In December 1944, she marriedTom Yawkey inGeorgetown, South Carolina;[1] both had previous marriages that ended in divorce.[2] During World War II, she was active with theRed Cross.[citation needed]
Tom Yawkey had bought theBoston Red Sox in 1933. Following his death in 1976, Jean Yawkey was chairwoman of the board of directors of theJRY Corporation, the majority owner and general partner of the Red Sox, until her death.
In 1983, Jean Yawkey became a director of theNational Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum inCooperstown, New York, holding the distinction of being the first woman elected to the board.[3]
In 1992, Jean Yawkey died in Boston at age 83.[4] In total, the Yawkeys owned (solely, or with partners) and operated the team for 59 years. Jean Yawkey was inducted to theBoston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1995.[5]
Jean Yawkey had a long association with theJimmy Fund/Dana–Farber Cancer Institute as a trustee and for a period as chair. She was a supporter of the Tara Hall Home for Boys in South Carolina.[6] She was instrumental in the establishment of the Yawkey Family Inn inBrookline, Massachusetts, a temporary home for families of patients undergoing transplant surgery in Boston-area hospitals.[7] She was also a trustee of the Yawkey Foundation.
The Yawkey Foundation has given over $575 million in grants to organizations in the areas of health care, education, athletics, the arts, and wildlife conservation.[8] The foundation established scholarship funds atYale University,Boston College, andBoston College High School. She was a supporter of theJackie Robinson Scholarship Program and supported several other educational institutions to provide minority students and others with scholarship aid.
In 2002, the Yawkey Foundation provided a $25 million grant for the construction of an outpatient center atMassachusetts General Hospital, where she had been a patient, and where she died in 1992.[9] In 2003, the Yawkey Foundation awarded $5 million toEmmanuel College in Boston for construction of the Jean Yawkey Center,[10] a student center, dining hall, gym and fitness center.[11]
The team's most successful season during Jean Yawkey's ownership came in 1986, when the Red Sox reached theWorld Series, losing in seven games to theNew York Mets.[12]
| Ownership: | July 9, 1976 – February 26, 1992 withBuddy LeRoux: September 30, 1977 – March 31, 1987 withHaywood Sullivan: September 30, 1977 – February 26, 1992 |
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| Predecessor: | Tom Yawkey |
| Successor: | JRY Trust |
| Titles: | AL East:1986,1988,1990 AL Pennant:1986 |
| General manager(s): | Dick O'Connell (1976–1977) Haywood Sullivan (1977–1984) Lou Gorman (1984–1992) |
| Manager(s): | Don Zimmer (1976–1980) Johnny Pesky (1980) Ralph Houk (1981–1984) John McNamara (1985–1988) Joe Morgan (1988–1991) Butch Hobson (1991–1992) |
| Sporting positions | ||
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| Preceded by | Owner of theBoston Red Sox July 9, 1976 – February 26, 1992 (withHaywood Sullivan, September 30, 1977 – February 26, 1992) (withBuddy LeRoux, September 30, 1977 – March 31, 1987) | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Boston Red SoxPresident 1976–1987 | Succeeded by |
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