#OnThisDay July 14, 1987 —Rookie of the Year Award is renamed to honor Jackie Robinson.

This week, JRF reflects on Rachel Robinson’s extraordinary life as we approach her 102nd birthday this Friday. Born on July 19, 1922, Rachel Isum grew up in suburban Los Angeles with her parents, Zellee & Charles Raymond Isum, and two brothers, Charles & Raymond. #CheersTo102

This week, JRF reflects on Rachel Robinson’s extraordinary life as we approach her 102nd birthday this Friday. Rachel entered UCLA in 1941 & completed an undergraduate nursing degree and clinical work with honors at the UC San Francisco Hospital in 1945. #CheersTo102 years

Rachel Isum joined millions of Americans who served their country when the U.S. entered World War II. As a college student, she worked part time supporting wartime production at Lockheed Aircraft & joined the Cadet Nurse Corps to help care for returning soldiers. #CheersTo102

“My most profound instinct as Jack’s wife was to protect him – an impossible task. I could, however, be a consistent presence to witness & validate his realities, love him without reservation…& most of all, help him maintain our fighting spirit.” - Rachel Robinson #CheersTo102

During her husband’s career, Rachel devoted herself to her family while supporting her beloved Jack. Their first child, Jack Roosevelt Robinson, Jr., was born on Nov 18, 1946, followed by daughter Sharon, born Jan 13, 1950, & son David, born May 14, 1952. #CheersTo102

Anxious to fulfill her own professional goals, Rachel Robinson enrolled in graduate school at New York University and earned a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing in 1961. She became a pioneering practitioner in the movement to deinstitutionalize psychiatric patients. #CheersTo102

#OnThisDay July 18, 1949—Jackie Robinson testifies before House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). HUAC was created in 1938 to investigate alleged disloyalty & rebel activities on the part of private citizens, public employees & organizations suspected of Communist ties.

In 1965, Rachel Robinson became director of nursing at the Connecticut Mental Health Center in New Haven, a collaboration between Yale University and the State of Connecticut. There, she used methodologies and experience to develop new forms of treatment. #CheersTo102

Happy 102nd birthday to Rachel Robinson, whose unwavering dedication as a nurse, professor, and founder of the Jackie Robinson Foundation has enriched countless lives and inspired positive change for generations. Your tireless efforts and shining example continue to motivate us all. Thank you

“Giving back is an essential part of life and it’s not when you get rich and famous that you start giving back. You start giving back right away.” – Rachel Robinson   Happy Birthday, Rachel!   #CheersTo102

#OnThisDay July 23, 1962—Fifteen years after his racial barrier breaking major league debut and five years after his retirement as a player, Jackie Robinson is inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Two years ago today, Rachel Robinson cut the ribbon to open the doors to the Jackie Robinson Museum, realizing her long-held dream of a fixed tribute to her husband.

#OnThisDay August 1, 1966—Jackie Robinson and Bobby Kennedy speak at a rally in Albany, NY on the lack of fair housing in Albany and particularly the city's South End neighborhood.

#OnThisDay August 2, 1944—The Court-Martial case of The United States v. 2nd Lieutenant Jackie R. Robinson, 0-10315861, Cavalry, Company C, 758th Tank Battalion began. The charges stemmed from when he refused to move to the back of a military bus.

#OnThisDay August 5, 1936 – Representing the USA, Matthew MacKenzie “Mack” Robinson, older brother of Jackie Robinson, captures a silver medal in the 200-meter dash at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany finishing four-tenths of a second behind gold medalist Jesse Owens.

#OnThisDay August 26, 1947— Four months after Jackie Robinson’s debut, Dan Bankhead becomes @mlb’s 1st Black pitcher & Robinson’s roommate. Bankhead gets rocked in his 1st outing, giving up 8 runs on 10 hits in 3.1 innings vs Pittsburgh Pirates but hit a home run in his 1st ML at bat

#OnThisDay August 28, 1945 – Jackie Robinson meets with Brooklyn Dodgers president and general manager Branch Rickey in his office at 215 Montague Street in Brooklyn.

#OnThisDay August 28, 1963— The Robinson Family attends March on Washington.   Joining more than a quarter million attendees including event organizer and labor leader A. Phillip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, executive secretary of the NAACP, and civil rights organizer Bayard Rustin.

#OnThisDay August 29, 1948—Jackie Robinson hits for the cycle in reverse natural order, knocking a home run in the 1st inning, a triple in the 3rd, a double in the 4th, and a single in the 8th, while driving in 2 runs & scoring 3 in the Dodgers 12-7 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.