On this day in #LACEGirlHistory Althea Neale Gibson was born. It also marks the day of the opening of the U.S. Open, a tournament she integrated in 1950. Althea was born in South Carolina in 1927. She moved to Harlem with her family when she was a young girl and found comfort on the tennis courts. As a teen she won multiple American Tennis Association tournament titles and earned an athletic scholarship to Florida A&M University. She was very physical, right handed, and known for her formidable foot speed and strong serve. In 1950, she became the first African American allowed to enter the U.S. National Championships (now called the U.S. Open) and the first black player to compete at Wimbledon in 1951. In 1953, and standing at 5-feet 11-inches, Gibson was ranked the Number 7 tennis player in the United States. In 1956, she became the first person of color to win a Grand Slam title (the French Open) and she won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 1957 and again in 1958. Although it isnt well known, Gibson played professional golf! In 1963, she became the first African American to compete of the LPGA tour. In 1971, Gibson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Today would have been Gibsons 87th birthday. She died in 2003. To learn a lot more about Altheas journey and the incredible people that helped her on her journey, try Sue Stauffachers Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson. Its great for ages 3-7. bit.ly/LACEAltheaGibson If your #LACEGirl is a litter older, try Karen Deans Playing to Win: The Story of Althea Gibson. Its great for ages 7 and up!!!! bit.ly/LACEplayingtowin
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 02:45:57 +0000
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