Daughter of Danville Lady Tomahawks founder to visit Danville Public Library

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The Danville Public Library is holding a book-signing event for Phyllis Adkisson-Smith. Her book, “Black Diamond – Black Gold: The Danville Lady Tomahawks,” talks about the journey behind one of the country’s first all-African American women’s fastpitch softball teams.

Adkisson-Smith is the eldest daughter of Wilbur Adkisson, who founded the Danville Lady Tomahawks team in the 1960s. Prior to this, he was a professional baseball player who played in the Negro Baseball League in Nashville as Major League Baseball teams continued to integrate.

The team road-tripped through Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee for nearly three decades. Adkisson-Smith herself also played as a member of the Danville Lady Tomahawks. In her book, she outlines the team’s struggles with racism, their dedication to the game of softball, and their commitment to their community.

Though she now lives in Texas, Adkisson-Smith is returning to her Danville stomping grounds to meet and greet enthusiastic readers.

The event will take place on Friday from 2-4 p.m. at the Danville Public Library.

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