by Barbara Walker

Created on: February 08, 2010   Last Updated: February 10, 2010

My twin sister and I were born in 1952. We were fraternal twins. Asides from not looking alike, we were so very different  from each other in our personalities, as well. She was the girly girl, playing with dolls, make up and hairstyles, while I was the tomboy, forever outdoors, playing with the boys in the neighborhood.

I loved hiking, riding my bike and playing any kind of ballgame, especially baseball. At school, the boys always picked me to be on their team. I was an excellent batter and could throw from the outfield to home plate, though I usually played first base.  

I was eight years old when I first began to learn that being a girl sucked. The first incident was when I wanted to play Little League. I thought the uniforms and cleats were the bomb. I loved sliding into home. I couldn't wait for the season to begin! When I told my Mother of my plans, she told me that I wouldn't be able to play in Little League.

"Why not"? I asked.

She replied, "Because you're a girl".

I could not understand why or how that could keep me from playing ball and said as much to her. She explained to me that it was the rules, boys only. I just could not comprehend such a stupid rule!

"But, why"!?

All she could say was that that was the way it was and I could play on a softball team with girls. 

I tried to explain to my mother the differences between softball and baseball. The slower pitching, pitching underhanded, no sliding, but in the end, it didn't matter.  I hated that sentence, "That's just the way it is." 

Whenever I went near the Little League field, I could only watch for a little while. I wanted to be in there playing with every fiber of my being.

When I was nine years old, I decided I wanted to be on the Safety Patrol at school. This was the patrol that had the whistles and stop signs, to help kids get across  the street, through the crosswalks. I had the good qualifying grades, so after school I went to see Mr. Calderone, the teacher in charge of Safety Patrol. I told him that I wanted to join. 

He replied, "You can't."  He wasn't looking at me, just shuffling papers around on his desk. I was thinking that maybe I had misunderstood him. 

Finally, I said, Huh?"  That's what I say when I am dumbfounded.

"You can't be on Safety Patrol," he said.

"But I have good grades, Mr. Calderone," I informed him.

"Doesn't matter. You're a girl",  he

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