Althea Gibson has her place in history as the first African American woman to win multiple international women’s tennis championships. In a time when tennis was represented by a small few, Gibson blasted forth as not only a woman of sports excellence, but an example to other African American athletes that success and achieving your dream is possible.

In today’s world, it’s difficult to believe that African Americans had such a tough road in sports. In the 1950’s, almost every state in the U.S. separated every aspect of life between ‘white and black’. African Americans were considered second class citizens and sports was no exception.

Althea’s background was from a poor Harlem family. It wasn’t until her talent was brought to the attention of Dr. Walter Johnson, an individual that promoted tennis in the community of African Americans, that Gibson saw a glimmer of hope. Dr. Johnson became Gibson’s patron and with his help she achieved some of the best tennis instruction and ability to enter higher competition levels.

As Althea progressed, she connected with the USTA (United States Tennis Association). Her career as an amateur entered her into a new world of tennis and she proved her abilities. The road was difficult because in the 1950’s, segregation was a strong deterrent. African American athletes had to suffer through apparent and degrading differences in the methods and placement of their social standing. This did not stop Althea, as she became the first African American to win in Wimbledon, the Australian Doubles, the United States Open and the French Open. Althea won eleven major titles that included the French Open with three straight doubles. She became the first woman to win the Grand Slam title.

By 1957, Gibson achieved a crowning glory when she was awarded the coveted Associated Press title of “Female Athlete of the Year”. She was not only the first African American woman to receive the title, but was given the same award the very next year. This was a double win for her and paved the way for many young female athletes that had dreams of excelling in the mostly all-white sports world. Her 1958 autobiography “I Always Wanted To Be Somebody” gave her fans an inside personal look at her life and experiences.

By the time Althea reached her 40’s, she took her talents to the avenue of teaching and became one of the best tennis pro instructors. In 1975, Gibson was given the title of the New Jersey Commission of Athletics. For ten years, Althea served in this position as well as on the Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness and the State’s Athletics Control Board.

In 2003, Ms. Gibson passed away at the age of 76. Althea not only broke all boundaries for Black American female athletes but left a legacy of hope for every little girl that had a dream. Every African American woman who has excelled in tennis has Althea Gibson to thank. She elevated herself above the problems of the time and proved to the world that she was somebody.