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Schroeder began at the Free Press in 1979. During her tenure as a photographer and photo editor, she was on the front lines of some of Detroit’s biggest events — and on the sidelines for the city’s most memorable sports moments.
Tigers outfielder Kirk Gibson celebrates one of two home runs in Game 5 of the World Series against the Padres on Oct. 14, 1984 in Detroit.

Tigers outfielder Kirk Gibson celebrates one of two home runs in Game 5 of the World Series against the Padres on Oct. 14, 1984 in Detroit. (Photo: Mary Schroeder, Detroit Free Press)

Schroeder’s photo of Gibson celebrating a home run in the clinching game of the 1984 World Series is the most iconic photo in Detroit sports history: The shot of him going crazy with his hands in the air ran on the front page of the next day’s Free Press underneath the headline, “We Win!” and has been reproduced on thousands of posters, T-shirts and other artwork.

“As time goes by, (Gibson) and I are going to be cemented,” Schroeder said. “We are cemented forever in history together. Because when you talk about Gibson, he always is reminded of that picture. And then, for me, I’m introduced all the time with people saying, ‘Oh, you know, (the picture) from the ’84 World Series.’ It’s such a famous picture, but I’ve done a lot of other work.”
Former Detroit Free Press photographer Mary Schroeder, center, talks to former Detroit Tigers player Kirk Gibson and his wife JoAnn during The Roar of '84 world premiere at Beacon Park in Detroit, Thursday, April 11, 2019.

Schroeder distinguished herself quickly — the sports photography industry was dominated by men at the time — but faced many obstacles along the way. She is considered a pioneer in fighting for equal access for female reporters and photographers.

In 1985, she was a plaintiff in a Free Press lawsuit against the Detroit Lions. The case was settled out of court, with the Lions agreeing to “at all times and all places provide the same access to players, coaches and facilities to all accredited media representatives without regard to sex.”

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2020/04/19/detroit-tigers-kirk-gibson-mary-schroeder-michigan-sports-hall-fame/5158843002/