Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King
Author/Attribution: Lynn Gilbert
Born: 1943 in California
American tennis player & former #1 ranked woman in the world, she won 39 Grand Slam titles (12 in singles!)
Advocate for gender equality & pioneer for equality & social justice.
Won the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match vs. Bobby Riggs, earning respect & recognition for all women’s tennis.
She was the 1st tennis player, man or woman to be named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of Year.
Was honored as “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” – Life magazine.
Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987 and Arthur Ashe Courage Award winner.
Said: “Don’t let anyone define you. You define yourself.”