Amazing Black Female Athletes
By: Raven Lingard
FEBRUARY is an amazing time of the year because it celebrates Black History Month and recognizes the accomplishments of many pioneers in our country’s history. The month of February was selected to honor the black culture and iconic pioneers because it contains the birth dates of two heroes who shaped black history: Abraham Lincoln, Feb. 12, and Frederick Douglass, Feb. 14. Lincoln (1809-1865), was the 16th president of the United States and signed the Emancipation Proclamation to free black slaves in some states. Douglass (1817-1895), was a social reformer, educator, orator, journalist and anti-slavery leader of the 19th century. This month also celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day that spotlights Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX was enacted to allow high school girls to receive the same participation in sports opportunities. The month of February has become a symbol of culture, understanding, pride and awareness. It is a symbolic time for me to reflect on our past history to help engineer our future. So as I reflected on black women athletes who have made lasting contributions for women of all cultures, 3 of my favorite SHEROS come to mind:
Jackie Joyner-Kersee is just iconic. She is described as the “best all-around female athlete in the world.” I feel an immediate connection with this athlete knowing that she is from the neighboring community of East, St. Louis, Illinois and the asthmatic condition that she overcame as a child and as I did. I have not met her, but I hear her down to earth demeanor allows her to connect with children from everywhere. I saw her speak and witnessed first hand the magic she sparks for young girls who aspire to become a great athlete themselves. Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s record speaks for itself. As a two-time world champion in both the long jump (1987, 1991) and heptathlon (1987, 1993), she has distinguished herself as an amazing athlete.
This past summer, I had the honor to meet Venus Williams and spend a few minutes speaking with her at the end of her book signing, “Come to Win”. Instantly you know that Venus is clear with her direction and prepared for success. These are two key characteristics that make her a sensational tennis player and successful business women. Venus and her sister Serena dominate the professional tennis world. In 2008, Venus won Wimbledon in a match against her sister Serena. She continues to dominate the professional tennis world.
Prior to the enactment of Civil Rights laws for Black Americans and Title IX for women in sports, Althea Gibson was already a pioneer in both amateur tennis and professional golf. Althea entered and won her first tennis tournament in 1942. She continued her success in 1947 and won the first of ten straight ATA National Championships. In 1956, she won the French Championships and, in 1957, won the All-England Championships at Wimbledon and U.S. National Tennis Championships at Forest Hills. Althea retired from amateur tennis in 1958 after she had won Wimbledon. In 1964, Gibson launched her golf career, joining the LPGA. Althea set the stage for Black female athletes of today.
I salute the many Black Heroes who have pioneered a path of excellence in our United States history and who serve as roles models for a culture of empowerments to “PLAY, BELIEVE and ACHIEVE,” this year’s motto for National Girls and Women Sports Day.
