Four Pioneers Honored by USTA
Althea Gibson saluted along with three other AKA trailblazers
The late tennis legend and AKA member, Althea Gibson, was inducted into the U.S. Open Court of Champions by the USTA during an evening that celebrated the accomplishments of an impressive roster of African American women. She was hailed as a trailblazer during a moving ceremony that was attended by former New York Mayor David Dinkins and Rachel Robinson, widow of the late baseball giant Jackie Robinson.
Gibson became the first African American tennis player, male or female, to win the title at the U.S. National Championships (now the U.S. Open) in 1957. The tribute coincided with the 50th anniversary of Gibson’s history-making victory.
She was a trailblazer of great talent and greater courage, who overcame many obstacles while compiling a career filled with firsts. In addition to breaking the color barrier in tennis (1950), she was the first African American to win singles titles at the French Championships (1956), Wimbledon (1957) and the U.S. Nationals (1957). With her success, she became the first African American to be named Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year (1957 and 1958). Gibson won 11Grand Slam titles in all, adding six doubles crowns to her singles success.
The induction took place on Center Court immediately preceding the evening matches of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. By a scheduling coincidence, African American female tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams were among those who competed that night. Both were victorious.
The opening night celebration was appropriately themed, “Breaking Barriers.”
Among those honored were three Alpha Kappa Alpha women including:
- Dr. Mae C. Jemison – the first African American female astronaut to be launched into space;
- Phylicia Rashad – the first African American female to win a Tony Award in the lead actress category; and
- Zina Garrison – the first African American female to win an Olympic gold medal in tennis.
The uplifting event also saluted other African American female trailblazers from the world of sports, entertainment and politics.