For a few days in January 1913, this picture of a young Vivian, La. woman was in newspapers all over the United States. Fanny Edwards, 21 years old, was cited as being the only woman boxing promoter in the country, possibly the world.
Rock Island (IL) Argus Jan-1913, Page 3
A big boxing fan, Fannie regularly attended matches, and had brothers who participated in the sport. When she attempted to hold a contest in Vivian in December 1912, pitting heavyweights Kid Aubrey and Kid McCormick (Jim McCormick's brother), Caddo Sheriff J. P. Flournoy shut it down, citing licensing issues, as she was "borrowing" someone else's charter (presumably doing all the work that would be covered by the other person's authorization).
That the promoter was a woman may well played into the stoppage, and certain townsfolk were opposed to the event, including the mayor. However boxing did have/does have quirky rules sometimes and other matches were noted to have been halted for seemingly minor technicalities. [Writer's observation: It appears the sheriff and district attorney had wide discretionary powers to interfere or abstain as they saw fit.] After the district attorney sanctioned a fight held at Shreveport's Grand Athletic Club, it was reported a test case would be filed to determine if that city and Vivian fell under the same laws. The results of that case or whether it was actually pursued are not known. Despite the setback, Fannie expressed her desire to continue to pursue fight promoting.
Little could be otherwise found about Fannie. A Sep-1911 social column noted her having dinner at Vaky's Cafe in Shreveport and taking a city tour with friends visiting from Dallas and Texarkana. Earlier that year she had been a guest at The Inn (a hotel in S'port by that name). She reportedly operated a hotel herself as well as a hand-bill plant. She was manager of the Vivian band and had planned for the proceeds of the Aubrey-McCormick bout to help cover its expenses. Whether she continued her promotion pursuit, got married, moved elsewhere, etc. is not known. Interestingly, a boxing promoter named E. M. Deam was arrested in Vivian a few weeks afterward for charges of theft of property and embezzlement in Amarillo, Texas. However no connection to Fannie was reported..
Apparently impressed with her audacity, a Shreveport Times reporter Fannie spoke with wrote she was "a live wire, and will probably succeed in whatever she goes after." I would like to think that is what happened.
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