Althea Gibson was a pioneering African American tennis player who broke barriers and made history in the world of sports. She was born on August 25, 1927, in Silver, South Carolina, and went on to become the first Black athlete to cross the color line of international tennis.

Gibson's exceptional talent and athleticism quickly made her a standout in the predominantly white sport of tennis. In 1950, she broke racial barriers by becoming the first African American player to compete in the U.S. National Championships (now known as the U.S. Open) at Forest Hills, New York. She went on to win the French Open in 1956, becoming the first Black tennis player to win a Grand Slam title.

In 1957, Althea Gibson made history again by winning both Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals, becoming the first Black woman to win these prestigious titles. She repeated her Wimbledon victory in 1958, cementing her status as a trailblazer in the sport.

Beyond her athletic achievements, Althea Gibson was also a trailblazer in breaking racial barriers in the sport of tennis and paving the way for future generations of Black athletes. Her success opened doors for other African American tennis players, such as Arthur Ashe and Serena Williams, who followed in her footsteps.

Althea Gibson's impact on the world of tennis and her contributions to Black history make her a legendary figure in the realm of sports and civil rights.