Rachel Robinson at 103: The Extraordinary Life of Jackie Robinson’s Unsung Hero

Story By Mitchell Smith

Hello everybody. Today I’m taking a look at Rachel Annetta Robinson wife of the late great Jackie Robinson. Rachel endured all the heartaches and headaches and then some that Jackie endured as he broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Rachel who just celebrated her 103rd birthday, was born July 19, 1922 in LA. She grew up in a time of segregation and fought just as hard or maybe even harder than her late husband for justice and equality for all humans. Rachel got a bachelor degree in nursing from UCLA, where she met Jackie.

At the time neither one could imagine what they would face in the very near future. Rachel was a rock for Jackie during his debut to the MLB and the success and trials of racist mobs. Rachel would become a professor at the Yale School of Nursing and Director of Nursing at Connecticut Mental Health Center. Rachel remains in connection and she started The Jackie Robinson Foundation to honor her late husband and to provide educational and leadership opportunities for minorities.

Rachel is one of those remarkable women who kind of has flown under the radar for all her accomplishments especially being by The great Jackie Robinson’s side throughout his career. Happy belated 103 Bday Mrs. Robinson. Have a great week everyone.