BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WBNG) — Jen Pawol broke barriers in August when she became the first woman umpire in Major League Baseball history.<\/p>\n
Before Jen Pawol made history in the majors, she dreamed of being an art teacher.<\/p>\n
She pursued that dream after moving to Conklin in the mid 2000s and later taught in the Maine-Endwell School District.<\/p>\n
But in 2006, Pawol began umpiring baseball and softball games in Endicott.<\/p>\n
After more than two years of teaching, she put down the paintbrush and stepped behind home plate full-time, eventually working her way through the minor leagues before debuting in the majors in August.<\/p>\n
The rest is now history.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really warms my heart to see the city of Binghamton creating so many opportunities for girls and women to play, coach and umpire at all level,\u201d Pawol said.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Pawol was honored at Mirabito Stadium for her incredible milestone.<\/p>\n
She received the keys to the city from Mayor Jared Kraham, and County Executive Jason Garnar declared Oct. 7, 2025, Jen Pawol Day in Broome County.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do think, Jen, that you will be a role model because having someone who persevered, who found a goal she wanted to achieve and did everything she could,\u201d Kraham said.<\/p>\n
Pawol reflected on her time in the Southern Tier and left the crowd with this message.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep chasing your dreams, follow your heart, find your passion and work hard,\u201d Pawol said. \u201cDream big and don\u2019t stop until you get where you want to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
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