Althea Gibson was an iconic figure in sports and civil rights history, and her life and legacy are still remembered and celebrated today. Easybuzz Born in 1927 in the small town of Silver, South Carolina, Althea was the fifth of seven children. She moved to Harlem, New York at the age of six with her family, where she found her true passion for tennis. 2daymagazine At the time, tennis was a sport largely dominated by white athletes, and Althea faced steep odds if she wanted to compete. Despite this, Althea persevered and continued to work hard to hone her skills. Newstimez She was eventually recruited by the American Tennis Association and became the first African-American player to participate in the U.S. National Tennis Championships in Travelantours
- Althea’s successes on the court did not go unnoticed and she soon found herself competing in the renowned French Open and Wimbledon tournaments. In 1957, Althea became the first black athlete of either gender to win a Grand Slam title and later became the first black woman to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Throughout her career, Althea was a vocal advocate for racial equality in sports and in the wider world. Worldtour7 She was a member of the NAACP and supported the Civil Rights Movement. She was also an ambassador for the sport of tennis and a role model to young athletes of all races. Althea Gibson died in 2003 after a long and illustrious career. Travels guide Her legacy lives on through her inspiring story and her efforts to bring equality and opportunity to athletes of all backgrounds. Her timeless message of perseverance and determination remains as relevant today as it was when she was alive, and her courage and fortitude continue to serve as an inspiration to all who strive to make a difference.