Billie Jean King, a 12-time Grand Slam champion, made history last month by becoming the first individual female athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, in recognition of her relentless fight for equal pay in tennis. — Reuters file
Living legend Billie Jean King recently reflected on her ongoing mission, celebrating 50 years of advocacy for female athletes this week with the 50th anniversary of the Women's Sports Foundation. Founded by King, the organization turned an initial $5,000 investment into over $100 million, supporting women's and girls' sports. This milestone comes just a year after King's iconic 'Battle of the Sexes' victory over Bobby Riggs propelled her into feminist history.
"When you read about history, it seems to move quickly. But when you're living it, it's incredibly slow and challenging," said King, now 80. "You need patience, persistence, and passion to achieve your goals. Without these, you won't endure." King emphasized the importance of a 24-hour passion for what you love, regardless of the outcome.
The 12-time Grand Slam winner was honored last month with the Congressional Gold Medal, acknowledging her unwavering advocacy for equal pay in tennis. Her efforts led to the US Open becoming the first major tournament to offer equal prize money for men and women in 1973. The Women's Sports Foundation, under her leadership, has invested over $100 million into sports programs, research, and advocacy.
Despite witnessing significant progress in women's sports, King acknowledges that more work is needed, particularly in increasing the number of female coaches at the highest levels of sport. "Nothing would be more wonderful than no longer needing the foundation, but we desperately do," King said, highlighting the ongoing need for support. She will mark the 50-year anniversary with a Women's Sports Foundation gala in New York on Wednesday.
The gala will honor the 1999 US women's World Cup-winning soccer team, crediting them with forever altering the trajectory of women's sports. Julie Foudy and her teammates from the 1999 World Cup team advocated for improved pay and working conditions, paving the way for the landmark lawsuit by the US national team against the US soccer governing body two decades later.
Foudy observes that today's female athletes are more willing than ever to take on an activist role. "These athletes are not only incredible competitors, but they also prioritize social justice, rights, and freedom," Foudy noted.
