Billie Jean King
BILLIE JEAN KING: Visionary, Innovator, Champion. Born: November 22, 1943, Birthplace: Long Beach, Calif. Residence: New York, N.Y. / Chicago, Ill. As one of the 20th century's most respected and influential people, Billie Jean King has long been a champion for social change and equality. She created new inroads for both genders in and out of sports during her legendary career and she continues to make her mark today. Among her many accomplishments are: Named one of the "100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century" by Life Magazine in 1990. Won 39 Grand Slam singles, doubles and mixed doubles tennis titles, including a record 20 titles at Wimbledon.
In 2008 King authored Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I've Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes to commemorate the 35th anniversary of her historic 1973 match against Bobby Riggs. Was one of nine players who broke away from the tennis establishment and accepted $1 contracts from tennis promoter Gladys Heldman in Houston. The revolt led to the birth of women's professional tennis and the formation of the Virginia Slims Tour and Women's Tennis Association. Empowered women and educated men when she defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the greatest moments in sports history - the Battle of the Sexes in 1973. Founded the Women's Tennis Association (1973), the Women's Sports Foundation (1974), Magazine (1974).
Co-founded World TeamTennis in the year 1974; the ground breaking co-ed professional tennis league and founded the World TeamTennis Recreational League, one of the most popular recreational tennis formats in the U.S. Named Global Mentor for Gender Equality by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2008 and received the NCAA President's Gerald R. Ford Award in 2009, recognizing her contributions to improving higher education and intercollegiate athletics.
Continues to be a leader in the fight for equality and recognition in the GLBT community, and has been honored by many of the leading GLBT organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD and Lambda Legal Foundation. Honored on August 28, 2006, when the National Tennis Center, home of the U. S. Open, was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in honor of King's contributions to tennis, sports and society both on and off the court. She continues to be involved with the USTA and is currently Honorary Chair of the Tennis in the Parks Committee. Honored in October 2006, when the Sports Museum of America and the Women's Sports Foundation announced that the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center, the nation's first permanent, comprehensive museum collection dedicated to women's sports, housed at the Sports Museum of America in New York City.