Peg Grey

Margaret Grey was born in Chicago, the daughter of Lawrence C. Grey and Dorothy Blyth Grey. Both of her parents were also born in Chicago; her father was a teacher. She graduated from Maria High School in 1963,^[1] earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Chicago Teachers College, and a master's degree in physical education from Northern Illinois University.^[2]

Grey taught physical education at elementary schools in the Chicago Public Schools for 35 years. She was active in the Gay Games, serving as first female co-chair of the Federation of Gay Games,^[3] and on the international board of the governing body. She worked for increasing participation by athletes from non-Western nations, and by older athletes. She organized women's softball, basketball, volleyball, bowling, racquetball, and tennis teams and leagues under aegis of the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association.^[2][4][5] She was also one of the organizers of Frontrunners Chicago, a running and walking club for the gay and lesbian community.^[6]

Grey raised funds for causes including AIDS and cancer research. She competed at Gay Games events in San Francisco (1982), Vancouver (1990),^[7] and Chicago (2006),^[8] in various sports, including marathon, softball, volleyball, and track and field.^[2] She was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 1992.^[9] She was posthumously inducted into the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Authority Hall of Fame in 2007.^[5][10]

Grey was survived by her partner of 40 years, Grace Leudke,^[11] and her companion of 17 years, Pam Hulvey,^[12] when she died from multiple myeloma in 2007, aged 61 years, in Hinsdale, Illinois.^[2] Her papers and memorabilia, including trophies, t-shirts, and photographs, are in the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives.^[13] There is a Peg Grey Women's Sport Tournament held annually in Johannesburg, named in her memory.