You Should Know Their Names - Althea Gibson

Do you know the name Althea Gibson? Today, a name that goes hand-in-hand with pro tennis is Serena Williams, an extremely talented and athletic tennis player who has conquered the sport across the globe. However, in the mid-twentieth century, it would have been unthinkable for a Black woman like Williams to belong in the top tier of any sport, especially tennis.

Well, it would have been unthinkable if not for the great Althea Gibson.

Gibson was an extremely successful athlete in her time, well known and highly regarded in white-dominated sports like golf and tennis. At the same time that African Americans were experiencing segregation and intense racism in the United States, Althea was receiving an award for winning Wimbledon from Queen Elizabeth II. Gibson defied the norms of the sports world, and she broke barriers and paved the way for some of our most famous athletes today.

Creds: Laura Babiak