Ruth McGinnis, born 1911 in Honesdale, PA, learned to shoot pool at her father’s billiard parlor on Main Street. An outstanding female athlete of her era, she was a billiards prodigy at an early age and a member of a high school women’s basketball team that won three state championships. Although she did not compete while she was a student at East Stroudsburg College, just before graduation she won the world championship in a tournament held in Philadelphia. McGinnis became a national celebrity when she defeated Olympic athlete Mildred “Babe” Didrickson. In 1934 she was named Women’s Pocket Billiard Champion of the World and toured the country as the only woman on a team of 22. Ruth traveled on the tour for 18 years, and in the early ‘30s acted in several shorts and one full-length movie, “Behind the Eight Ball.” She retired in 1950 and returned to Honesdale to manage her father’s pool room, barbershop and newsstand. In 1997, Ruth McGinnis was inducted into the Billiards Hall of Fame.

From the collection of the Wayne County Historical Society 810 Main St., Honesdale. The museum and research library are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.