Born: 25 August 1927, United States
Died: 28 September 2003
Country most active: United States
Also known as: NA
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Althea Neale Gibson was an American tennis player, professional golfer, and among the first Black athletes to enter international tennis. In 1956, she became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title, claiming victory at the French Championships. The next year, she secured wins at Wimbledon and the US Nationals (predecessor of the US Open), repeating the feat in 1958. The Associated Press recognized her by naming her Female Athlete of the Year both times. In total, she achieved 11 Grand Slam titles: five in singles, five in doubles, and one in mixed doubles. During the early 1960s, she marked another milestone by becoming the first Black player in the Women’s Professional Golf Tour.
In a time when racism and prejudice were pervasive in sports and society, Gibson drew comparisons to Jackie Robinson. Billie Jean King noted, “Her journey to success was demanding, yet she never backed down.” Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins remarked, “She was an inspiration to all, proving her capabilities during a period when playing tennis as a Black individual was exceedingly challenging.” Venus Williams expressed, “I’m honored to have followed her remarkable path. Her achievements paved the way for players like Serena, myself, and future generations, ensuring her legacy endures.” Bob Ryland, a contemporaneous tennis player and former coach of Venus and Serena Williams, asserted, “She stands among the greatest players in history. Even Martina Navratilova wouldn’t rival her. I believe she could outplay the Williams sisters.” Gibson’s excellence led to her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.