Babe Ruth gives batting pointers to the Roverettes, an all-girl baseball team that included Mary Ontek, fourth from right in the back row.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A few months ago I highlighted four extraordinary women who called Staten Island their home. What I may not have told you is that I only scratched the surface of a long list of very special women. Since we will be celebrating Women of Achievement this month, I thought it would be a fitting time for Part 2 of Famous Women of Staten Island.
THE ATHLETES
Staten Island has been home to many great athletes, both men and women. Following in that tradition are our next two women: Mary Ontek and Gloria Cordes-Elliott.
Mary Ontek was a three-sport standout, winning two consecutive championships with the New York Roverettes (softball), the Bloomer Girls in 1934 (baseball) and a state championship in New Jersey with the Dover Marauders in 1954 (softball). Her athletic prowess also extended to bowling when she won the National Women’s Bowling Congress Championship in 1955. Still active in 1971, Mary won the Staten Island Women’s Bowling Association title.
Born in Jessup, Pa., Mary lived most of her life in Bulls Head.
I had the pleasure of meeting Gloria Cordes Elliott a few years ago. She is a wonderful person with a very unassuming personality. She came to one of my book signings just to talk to me and share some personal photos of her playing days.
She told me that she was one of 11 children and grew up in Stapleton. At the age of 18, the former McKee High School star joined the Kalamazoo Lassies of the professional women’s baseball league (1950) and later played for the Rockford Peaches.
In 1952, she was 16-8 for a fifth-place team with an ERA of 1.44 and 24 complete games. During her five-year career, she was an all-star three times and was the winning pitcher in the league’s first all-star game.
The league folded in 1954, but her exploits were the inspiration for the popular movie “A League of Their Own.” It was truly an honor to meet her.
THE ARTISTS
Women from Staten Island excelled in all the fields in which they participated, including the arts. Here are three women who added a little beauty to the world around them for many others to enjoy.
Eileen Farrell lived on Staten Island (Grymes Hill and Emerson Hill) when she debuted with the Metropolitan Opera Company in 1960. One of her many performances was the title role of Verdi’s “Aida” which brought her critical acclaim. Along with Beverly Sills, Marilyn Horne, Leontyne Price, and Brigit Nilsson, she was considered one of the top sopranos of her generation.
Ms. Farrell died at a nursing home in 2002 at the age of 82.
It took a Staten Island woman to bring etiquette to the rest of polite society. Amy Vanderbilt lived at 164 Maine Ave. in Westerleigh and was the first cousin of Cornelius Vanderbilt.
She began her writing career with the Staten Island Advance at the age of 16. Ms. Vanderbilt attended PS 30 and Curtis High School before graduating from New York University’s School of Journalism. In 1952, she published the first edition of her “Complete Book of Etiquette.”
She was a member of many Island organizations including the board of trustees of Richmondtown Restoration.
Last, but not least, this week is Alice Austen. She was one of the country’s most prominent woman photographers. She began taking photographs in 1884 and did so until about 1934 — amassing a collection of nearly 8,000 images. Her work went largely unnoticed by the public until some experts, including one from the Library of Congress, examined them. Her photographs were then hailed as some of the finest works chronicling turn-of-the-century life in America. Her work and life story became the subject of a Life magazine article in the Sept. 24, 1951 issue.
This sudden fame came as she was living at Sea View’s Farm Colony, the city’s “poor house.” The newfound income allowed her to move to a private nursing home and die with dignity.
Since her death in 1952 at age 87, her life story has been the subject of books, magazine articles and film documentaries. The most notable film of her life titled “Alice’s World” was aired over the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and shown throughout the country.
Miss Austen was one of the original founders and first president of the Staten Island Garden Club and a charter member of the Staten Island Historical Society. Clear Comfort, her home at 2 Hylan Blvd., offers magnificent views of the Narrows. Originally built in the 1600s, Clear Comfort is a city landmark and is open to the public.
BITS AND PIECES
I am currently working with James Nicoloro and Barry Lewis in cooperation and support from the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island, The Staten Island Historical Society and The Alice Austen House to bring her story to life in a documentary. Hopefully, the documentary will air next year.