today’s birthday: Arthur Ashe (1943)

Arthur Ashe (1943)

Ashe rose from his hometown’s public courts to become the first African-American male to reach prominence in tennis. Noted for his grace, hard-hit topspin, and outstanding backhand, Ashe won three Grand Slam tournaments, including Wimbledon. He helped to form the Association of Tennis Professionals and worked to expose the injustices of apartheid in South Africa. Infected with HIV through a blood transfusion, he also worked to raise awareness of AIDS. Why was Ashe arrested in 1985 and 1992? More… Discuss

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Today’s Birthday: Althea Gibson (1927)

Althea Gibson (1927)

Gibson, a US tennis player, was the first African-American woman to compete on the world tennis tour. Though tennis had essentially been segregated until that time, she was finally given an opportunity to play at the US Championships in 1950. Having broken the color barrier, she went on to become the first black person to win Wimbledon. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971. In 1964, Gibson became the first African-American player in what other sports organization? More… Discuss