Althea Gibson: A Great Tennis Player

First and for most, both women were determined to reach for their goals, even if their race and gender held them down. Althea Gibson, instead of giving up knowing that she will never enter one of the world-wide tennis tournaments she kept trying. Raised in Harlem, New York she still trained and soon won many tennis titles and was the first African-American woman in a woman's tennis league. Within the article "Althea Gibson" written by Vitor Paiva it states, "Althea Gibson blazed a new trail in the sport of tennis, winning some of the sport's biggest titles in the 1950's and

To auspicate, Althea Gibson and Barbara C. Jordan were two African American women that were brave enough to surpass their odds and do what many other thought they couldn't. Both of these woman were African American which meant that they both weren't able to do things the whites could have done easily. Althea Gibson was the first African American woman to play tennis at a high level. Barbara C. Jordan was the first African American woman to be elected to the

Born on September 8, 1954, in Tylertown, Mississippi, was a girl named Ruby Bridges. In hopes of a better life, at the age of 4, she, and her family moved to New Orleans. Although her house was located five blocks away from a school, she couldn’t go there because it was an all-white school, and had to walk several miles to attend to kindergarten at an African American school. In 1960, many African Americans took a difficult test called the National

Ashe had a career filled with many ups and downs and faced considerable hardship playing tennis in an all white sport. He never relished his status as the sole black star in a game dominated by white players, but he didn't run away from it either. One such struggle he faced was his trip to South Africa. For many years Ashe had wanted to go to South Africa to play at the South African tennis championships, but every time he tried to gain a visa to travel there he was denied. Finally, in 1973 after much lobbying Ashe was awarded the opportunity to play in South Africa (Arthur Ashe Biography). This occasion was a giant step for not just for South Africa but for Ashe as he became the first African American to play in South Africa’s tennis championships. Amongst all the hate Ashe received from tennis he excelled against all odds and became a trailblazer for black people in tennis. Ashe’s legacy was composed of many firsts for an African American like becoming the first to win a Grand Slam, to be elected onto a US Davis Cup team and win one, in addition to becoming the first African American to be inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame (Carter). Ashe’s career was cut short from medical issues, but he continued to work in the sport becoming an activist for African Americans helping them to exceed in this all white society (Carter). At the young age of 49 Ashe died after his

Althea Gibson played the sport tennis and she Is the one who made the game tennis. They both wanted to be something In life. Barbara Jordan wanted to be a professor. When Althea was a child, she struggle and she loved to play sports. Althea was Inducted Into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971, later she served as and Commissioner of Athletics for the state of New Jersey. Jordan she had suffered from multiple sclerosis since 1973 and she was In a wheelchair bound by the time she was Invited to give her second Democratic Convention Keynote Address In 1992. Also they both achieve something that they wanted In life so If they can do It you can do

Marian had been born on February 27th, 1897, in Philadelphia. Marian was just 6 years old when she became a choir member at the Union Baptist Church, where she got the nickname “Baby Contralto.” Anderson was the oldest out of her family of three girls. When turning eight, she had received her first piano from her father who was a coal and ice digger. At the time her family was unable to pay for her to have any kind of vocal or piano lessons so she was forced to teach herself. At the age of 12, her father had died, leaving her mother to take care of the family of three girls with no job. This however did not slow down any of her musical ambition. Anderson's commitment and her range as a singer, so impressed the rest of the choir that the church had decided to band together and raise about 500 dollars. About

Althea Gibson was an African American woman born August 25, 1957 in Silver, North Carolina. She attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical School and later Lincoln University as an athletic instructor. In her early life she moved to Harlem, New York, New York because of the Great Depression. She was also increased in basketball and paddle tennis. She quickly became good at tennis and people stared o notice, so Robert Walter Johnson coached, mentored, and sponsored her. She went on to win 11 Grand Slam titles, cementing her legacy, was the first black woman to play professional tennis, and on top of that she broke he racial barrier in tennis. She also played tennis, played he saxophone, and wrote an autobiography called “I Always wanted to

Althea Gibson (August 25, 1927- September 28, 2003), also known as the tennis Jackie Robinson, was the first African-American woman to not only play amateur tennis but also join the Ladies Professional Golf Association. Althea Gibson was one of the most influential and significant figures in African-American women’s sports history (Douglas). Althea was the figurehead that established that blacks were equal competitors in sports (Gould). On the streets of Harlem, New York City is where Althea got her start; Traveling the globe breaking racial barriers in different countries and winning their tennis tournaments is what Althea did. Although she did not receive any monetary gain from her winnings she did receive many awards and trophies, as well as the meeting of many important individuals.

Marcenia Stone, was born on July 17, 1921, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She is famous for being the first African American woman to play professional baseball on all men 's teams. She was a tomboy when she was growing up so she was given the nickname ‘Toni’ because it sounded like tomboy. She went to Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but dropped out when she was 16 because she needed to make money for herself and her family. Stone’s mother was a beautician and her father was a barber. She also had an older sister.The manner

Alva Belmont, born on January 17, 1853, in Mobile, Alabama, was a wealthy women’s rights sponsor. While living in Alabama, her family endured many problems with the Civil War. As a result, both her and her family moved to France, after the war, where she was educated. Later, she moved back with her mother and sisters to the United States in New York City. While in New York she fell in love with a man named William K. Vanderbilt.

Serena Williams is the number one women’s tennis player in the world. Her outstanding skills have earned her 50 million dollars through just prizes; that is more than any other athlete in the world (“Serena Williams Fast Facts”). Her fast reflexes, amazing skills, and outgoing personality have made her known as a powerful woman and an inspiration to many young girls. This African-American woman is almost six feet tall and is made of steel. With her long, muscular legs and her quick arms, no wonder she is number one!

One of the biggest things that she pushed for in her career was equal pay for men and women in sports. This was a struggle for her as she had trouble paying for her tennis. In the early days of her playing she was not allowed in the picture of her first tennis club because she was not wearing the proper tennis skirt, but instead had on shorts. Her family did not have a lot of extra money to put into her expensive tennis career and it was hard for them to afford the elitists sport. She along with other women had to stand up and risk being band from the tennis league when they signed one dollar contracts with the Virginia Slims to bring attention to the struggle for equal play. It became apparent to Billy even from the young age that she was when she was not allowed in the picture because of her attire that women where not

Similarly, Billie Jean King broke barriers in her sport to change the perception of females in the athletic and professional worlds forever. When King began her tennis career in the early 1960’s, just about nobody paid attention to women’s sports. In 1971, only one percent of collegiate athletic budgets were going to women’s sports and the ratio of male to female high school athletes was 12.5 to 1 (Impact of Title IX). However, King quickly organized a group of female tennis players to travel around the country playing small events, and although they earned little money, it helped to bring attention to the sport and women’s abilities to play. She further put pressure on the United States Tennis Association by demanding more money, events, and

Anna Kingsley, a woman of strength and determination overcame many odds not expected of an African American slave. She married a slave owner, owned land, and was once a slave herself. She was well known in a free black community she helped establish.

Tennis originated in northern France in the 11th century as a type of handball played on indoor court. The introduction of a racquet in the 16th century changed the game. By the mid 19th century, it was popularized as an indoor game on a lawn in England. Major W.C. Wingfield popularized the game and devised a set of rules as well as a court in the shape of an hourglass with a net 1.5 m high. Over the next few years, the game was modified as the court became rectangular and the server was moved to the baseline. When the first Wimbledon championship was held in 1887, the game was basically the same as it is played today.