(AUG 26) We have found throughout the years that we find many believing that this or that female professional boxer was the first to receive a professional boxing license in the United States. 

When I first began covering the history of women's boxing----even I had it wrong!

I thought that it had all began with Caroline Svendsen, who received a professional boxing license in the state of Nevada in 1975.  Little did I know that before 1975, that Barbara Buttrick and others were licensed in the 1950s-1960s, according to Buttrick, an icon in the sport from that era.

But after researching the sport and getting a fairly good grip on the  sport, I discovered through extensive research that we could bring that  "history first" to July 17, 2023!

It was reported on that date, in the Lowell Sun that Jeanne La Mar received her Boxing License from the state of New Jersey. There is a photo of her receiving her license.  The caption stated the following:

"It isn't every woman that has a license to fight---and it isn't every woman that needs one. Jeane LaMar [La Mar] holds the female bantamweight and featherweight titles in the world.  There she is with the first boxing license issued to a woman in New Jersey. She seeks a match with Princess Pau, of Allentown PA., or Kiddy McCue, in et. Paul."  

But it even goes further, that many did not know about, until one day I received a copy of a form that was filled out by La Mar to apply for a New York Boxing License on June 25, 1922. 

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So as of this date, we have brought the history-first professional boxing license to be issued goes back to July 1923.

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Other articles and stories on WBAN:

Historic Articles on WBAN that were published in 2005:   1920’s Female Boxer – Jeanne La Mar: Flash from the Past! —Part I

Historical date: 1920s:  WBAN has been in contact with Terry Graham, a retired police officer, of Wrightwood, California, who has been doing some extensive research on Jeanne La Mar (AKA: Jean La mar, The Countess Jeanne La Mar, The Countess, Jeanne Vina Lamar.) Graham and Sarah Jo Rauschl provided this fascinating history of this past boxer, and a deep mystery that surrounds her Jeanne (Jean) La mar, came to the mountain area of Wrightwood, California, during the late 1920’s after a disillusioning career in boxing in both New York and Chicago. According to an article from the Chicago Herald & Examiner dated December 6, 1927, she was nicknamed the “Countess” for the ‘count of ten’.  Full Story on our WBAN Database website

Historic Article on WBAN published in 2005 - Part 2:  1920’s Female Boxer – Jeanne La Mar: Flash from the Past! —Part II

(OCT 17, 2005) WBAN has just received “Part II” on the 1920’s femaile boxer Jeanne La Mar. (AKA: Jean La mar, The Countess Jeanne La Mar, The Countess, Jeanne Vina Lamar.) Writer Terry Graham and Sarah Jo Rauschl provided this fascinating history of this past boxer, and a deep mystery that surrounds her.  "The Countess of Big John Flat":  A lone coyote roamed the brush field slope next to two tin shelters and a worn and abandoned cabin. His mind was on a tasty morsel of a rabbit that he just saw darting through the brush. As he turned to pad his way down slope, he glanced towards the tin sheds, and the weathered house above it;

"The Countess Vina Jeanne Lamar circ 1925":   

He couldn’t fight the shiver that raised the hairs on it’s back. Something about the quite place always gave him the willies. Then his brain focused on the task of capturing a meal, he turned away and heading down the slope.  There was good reason for the eerie sensation that the abandoned homestead caused. It once belonged to Countess Vina Jeanne Lamar, a feisty tough little woman that might have been a world champion boxer in the early 1920’s. Countess Lamar once boxed in Allentown, Pa., and went three rounds with bantam-weight Bugs Moran and Bobby McLean. Lamar’s boxing craze continued when she moved to Big John Flat. She knocked down forest Ranger “Mac” MacDonald with a single punch. Imagine her surprise when he got up, dusted himself off, retorted, “My lady, that’s it!”, and picked her up and bodily threw her over the railing of Big Pines ranger station. She landed on her fanny on the grass below the railing, and McDonald had no problems with her after that. Full Story on our WBAN Database website.

WBAN article in 2007:   The Countess' Last Bout
by Terry Graham:    

Much has been written on the "Mysterious Woman of Big John Flats" over the years in local papers of the Wrightwood area. Even though she provided much local color in the area's history, it has been hard to determine if she was the honest sort, or just someone with a little ornery and evil streak under the surface. The author believes that the closest that Jeanne Lamar came to honor was "Yes, your Honor..." and "No, your honor..." . But, the author digresses. Perhaps if we recap the story thus far, you, the reader, would see that the life of professional woman boxer "The Countess" Jeanne Lamar, sounded like a dime store crime novel. Full Story on WBAN

Lady Boxer at the Moose / Source: Monessen Daily Independent-Thursday, October 19, 1922 / Volume 21. No.109.

In the source dated October 19, 1922, it was reported that Jeanne La Mar, a female world champion boxer would be the special attraction at the MooseTemple boxing show on ‘Saturday evening, October 21. ms. Lamar who was now touring the country meeting all comers, will be well remembered by the many war veterans here. By not only serving as a red cross nurse during the war overseas, but also on the numerous occasions she gave boxing exhibitions with the famous Georges Carpentier for the benefit of the wounded soldiers, Miss Lamar endeared herself for all. She never chooses her opponents and when asked she readily consented to meet anyone, male or female boxer that management may choose. Full Story on the WBAN Historical Database website

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Episode 1:  Grassroots of Women's Boxing: The fight for Amateur females Boxers to compete in AAU Boxing Tournaments in 1978- Link to Story

Episode 2:  Grassroots of Women's Boxing: Trailblazer Pat Emerick who Paved the way for Women's Boxing Link to Story

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