Meet Nellie.
A big personality. A fearless spirit. A name that celebrates a woman who opened doors for others.
Pittsburgh’s own · No. 72
Big energy.
Even bigger heart.
Meet Nellie, the official mascot of Pittsburgh Riveters SC and a friend to fans of every age.
She loves soccer, friendship bracelets, and the people who make our club special. With a wave, a photo, or a little fearless fun, Nellie helps turn a Riveters moment into a memory.
Her name carries a meaningful connection to Western Pennsylvania: Nellie Bly, the pioneering journalist whose curiosity and determination took her from Pittsburgh to the world.
Meet the woman behind the name
Around the world.
On her jersey.
Nellie proudly wears #72 in honor of Nellie Bly’s celebrated journey around the world. Leaving on November 14, 1889, Bly returned on January 25, 1890, completing a trip that captured the public’s imagination and challenged expectations of what a woman could do.
72 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes, 14 seconds · One extraordinary journey
View the portrait and biography ↗
Nellie Bly.
A life beyond limits.
Journalist. Traveler. Advocate.
A trailblazer with Western Pennsylvania roots.
Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran in Cochran’s Mills, Pennsylvania, in 1864, Nellie Bly built a career by asking difficult questions and going where women were often told they did not belong.
Her story is about more than a remarkable trip. Through firsthand reporting, she brought attention to working women, exposed the mistreatment of people in institutional care, and helped expand the possibilities for women in journalism.
We honor her name by sharing the person behind it: a reporter whose work joined courage with a concern for other people.
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1864
Her story starts here.
Born in Cochran’s Mills in Armstrong County, Bly grew up in Western Pennsylvania. She later moved with her family to Allegheny City, now Pittsburgh’s North Side. Her connection to this region is part of the story we celebrate. 1
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1885
She challenged the conversation.
After reading a Pittsburgh Dispatch column that limited women’s roles to marriage and motherhood, she wrote a response. It helped launch her newspaper career under the pen name Nellie Bly. Her early reporting examined the lives and working conditions of women. 1
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1887
Reporting that demanded change.
Reporting for the New York World, Bly went undercover at the women’s asylum on Blackwell’s Island. She documented neglect and abuse, bringing the experiences of patients to public attention. Her investigation, later published as Ten Days in a Mad-House, helped prompt reforms in institutional care. 2
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1889–90
The world was her next chapter.
Inspired by Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days, Bly set out to make the journey herself. She completed it in just over 72 days. The trip made her internationally famous and remains a powerful example of her ambition and resolve. 3
Her name.
Our inspiration.
Nellie Bly’s story gives our mascot’s name a purpose. These are the qualities we celebrate through Nellie and the Riveters community.
Ask. Learn. Explore.
Bly went looking for stories that deserved to be heard. Through Nellie, we celebrate the joy of learning something new and the confidence to ask questions.
Take the next step.
Bly pursued opportunities beyond the limits others set for her. Her example is an invitation to try, to grow, and to make room for the next generation.
Show up for others.
Bly’s reporting drew attention to people whose experiences were often overlooked. We carry that spirit into a club where people feel welcomed, supported, and seen.
Honoring Nellie Bly means keeping her story visible. Every #72 is an opportunity to introduce someone to the real woman whose work continues to inspire us.
A little Nellie.
A lot of joy.
Bring Nellie’s energy to your next gathering. Submit an appearance request to connect with our team about availability and offerings.
Request an appearance
Please submit requests at least two weeks in advance. Appearances are subject to availability and team approval. Approved requests receive a confirmation email.
Open Nellie’s request formQuestions? Contact our appearances team .
Keep her story going.
Explore Nellie Bly’s life through museum research, historical collections, and her own writing. These resources informed this page and offer a place to learn more.
- Nellie Bly: life and career Wikipedia · Biography and references
- A pioneer in investigative journalism National Park Service · Life, reporting, and reform
- Nellie Bly: a resource guide Library of Congress · Historical collections and further reading
- Nellie Bly: around the world Heinz History Center · A closer look at her historic journey
