Althea Gibson (August 25,1927 - September 28, 2003)

Tennis had it's own Jackie Robinson and her name was Althea Gibson. This Florida A&M University graduate (you know I had to add that) went on to take the tennis world by storm becoming the first African American to win championships at Grand Slam tournaments such as Wimbledon, the French Open, the Australian Doubles, and the US Open in the late 1950s.

In 1957, she was the first black to be voted by the Associated Press as its Female Athlete of the Year. She won the honor again in 1958.

Althea was also the first African American on the LPGA tour (yes, the sista was a golfer also).

So as this year's US Open begins let's remember and not forget this great woman who paved the way for athletes such as Venus and Serena Williams, Arthur Ashe, and Tiger Woods. This year marks the 50th anniversary of her breakthrough performance at the US Open in which she became the first black player, male or female, to win the tournament.

Now this sister definitely belongs in the Savvy She-Ro Hall of Fame.

For more information on Althea Gibson click here

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