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Orioles Heads Groundskeeper Wins Women's Leadership Award

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- You've met Nicole McFadyen before.

She's the Orioles head groundskeeper -- one of only two women who hold that job in the Major Leagues.

Ron Matz reports this modern day women's pioneer was the recipient of a major honor named for the woman who made the flag that flew over Fort McHenry and inspired the Star Spangled Banner.

McFadyen is a pioneer as head groundskeeper for the Orioles.

Now she's being recognized with the Mary Pickersgill Award for Women's Leadership in Business.

"My position of being one of only two women in my profession speaks volumes when other people come to the ballpark and they see me out there on the field, " she said. "Thinking that a women can do a job in sports and in baseball."

McFadyen received the award at the Star Spangled Banner Flag House.

"Nicole is the head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles," said executive director Amanda Davis. "She's only the second groundskeeper in major league baseball history, so she's already a pioneer in her field."

Mary Pickersgill was much more than a flag maker, she was also a business owner and opened doors for women.

"This is the fourth annual Mary Pickersgill award for leadership in business," Davis said. "It was something that our board started four years ago to recognize businesswomen in the Baltimore area who are not only great leaders in their chosen profession, but do something to give back to their communities."

"I see Mary and so many women today and it's because of strong women like her that a young girl from Delaware can grow up dreaming of making it to the big leagues and have that dream realized in one of the most beautiful and historic ballparks in baseball," McFadyen said.

Nicole thanked the O's, her husband Dan and son Tyson.

Nicole's son, Tyson, will celebrate his third birthday on April 4th, which just happens to be opening day!

General Manager Buck Showalter sent congratulations from Sarasota.

Watch the video by Orioles Productions

 

 

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