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Women’s History Tours in Washington, DCA Tour Of Her Own (TOHO) curates women's history tours for groups of mindful travelers and engaged locals who are interested in expanding their perspective of American history and local culture through authentic interactions with people and places in Washington, DC and beyond. |
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From the sandlot to the Negro Leagues, Peanut Johnson has roots in NE DC. |
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| Nicknamed “Peanut” because of her petite size, Mamie Johnson defied the odds and stood tall on the dirt mound as the first and only woman to pitch in the Negro Leagues. Two other ballplayers, Toni Stone and Connie Morgan, are recorded as the only other women in the league’s history.
Mamie “Peanut” Johnson attended a tryout in Alexandria, VA for the the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League but was rejected because of racial segregation. Later that year, she was recruited at 18 years old to the Indianapolis Clowns. She would play three seasons total, finishing her career with a batting average around .270 and a pitching record of 33-8.
Born Mamie Belton, she lived as a teenager in Washington, DC with her mother Della Belton Havelow who owned a house in the H Street Corridor. Peanut would often play sandlot baseball at the nearby playground that is now Rosedale Community Center. It was here where a scout discovered Johnson for the first time and recruited her to play professional baseball in the Negro Leagues.
A FIELD OF HER OWN In April of 2013, this field was dedicated in honor of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, whose name now stretches across the scoreboard. This is the first athletic field in the District of Columbia that the Department of Parks and Recreation had named for a woman. |
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| Though her legacy runs deep in the sport of baseball, Johnson dedicated most of her adult life to a career in nursing. She would provide nursing care for three decades at local Sibley Memorial Hospital. She also ran a Negro Leagues memorobilia store in Mitchellville, MD.
The Nationals Recruit Peanut In 2008, Major League Baseball teams drafted living players from the Negro Leagues, and Mamie "Peanut" Johnson would officially become a member of the Washington Nationals. She was later honored with a mural on U Street in 2018. In attendance to cut the ceremonial ribbon for the artwork was Little League super star Mo'ne Davis. |
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The Indianapolis Clowns are now a Banana Ball team. |
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The first-ever Banana Bowl comes to Nationals Park on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The Indianapolis Clowns bring their tricks, skills, and history.
The Indianapolis Clowns were a Negro Leagues team in the 1940’s who broke barriers by playing in front of black and white crowds. The modern-day Clowns in the Banana Ball League resurrects the story of this remarkable era in history. The Clowns were the first professional baseball team to hire a woman to a long-term contract to play competitively: Toni Stone who would eventually be joined by her teammates Connie Morgan and DC’s own Mamie "Peanut" Johnson.
Jesse Cole, the Creator of Banana Ball said, “Bringing the Indianapolis Clowns story to life is one of the greatest privileges I’ve ever had. They were so much more than just a baseball team. They were pioneers, entertainers, and ambassadors for joy. These legends helped build this game into what it is today and now I’m so proud that a new generation gets to experience their story. We hope millions of fans discover the incredible legacy of the Clowns and the impact they continue to have on baseball today.” |
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| A street named for Mayor Bowser inAddis Ababa, Ethiopia |
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| The Clowns were originally founded in 1930s Miami as the Ethiopian Clowns. Did you know that Washington, DC is home to one of the largest Ethiopian American communities in the United States?
In 2013, DC government created a Sister City Agreement with Addis Ababa to enhance collaboration between the two capitals. This partnership was renewed in 2019, and a year later, a ceremonial resolution to officially honor the corridor as “Little Ethiopia” was approved by DC Council. The Mayor of Addis Ababa, Takele Uma Banti, unveiled a newly-named street, “Mayor Muriel Bowser Street,” and announced the renaming of Gazebo Roundabout to “Washington DC Square” |
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| Eat Ethiopian Food at Woman-Owned Letena |
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| COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Letena means “for health” in Amharic and this Columbia Heights restaurant offers authentic Ethiopian food and beverages. The story of owner Yamrot Ezineh highlights the long-lasting relationship between sister capital cities Washington, DC and Addis Ababa, where she was born. Her approach to food offers a broad range of natural and healthy options. The menu includes both vegetable-forward and hearty meat dishes, like traditional gulash, wot, and tibs. Ezineh emphasizes that these ingredients are readily available because of the strong network in the city.
“Everything starts from scratch,” she says. This is certainly true for her food, as she returned to Ethiopia to study and research recipes before opening in 2016. But it also speaks to her personal journey.'
Ezineh bravely restarted her life’s path from scratch several times. She was educated for a career in pharmaceuticals, worked as a chemical engineer, and committed to raising her kids as a homemaker before launching Letena. She credits much of her desire for entrepreneurship to her mother, a banker and self-employed businesswoman, who set a positive example rooted in strength and independence. |
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| More stories in our book111 Places in Women’s History That You Must Not Miss in Washington, DC |
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This book records the legacies of these women and encourages readers to explore their names on headstones, street signs, and buildings, while also discovering where hidden history is unmarked. Rising from a strong foundation, modern DC women have continued to nurture the legacy of their foremothers as chefs, artists, athletes, philanthropists, politicians, and entrepreneurs. |
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| Book a Private Women’s History Tour |
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| Our booking process is designed to meet you where you are, with an emphasis on thoughtful customer service and immersive tour experiences. Lottery tours are quick and easy to book now in one step. For all other tour options, we begin with a brief inquiry so we can better understand your goals, confirm availability, and personally guide you through the next steps, making the planning process smooth and straightforward. Keep it simple by submitting this inquiry form.
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