Althea Gibson

7/7/2020

David A. Windham

Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson on What’s My Line – Aug 10th, 1958

Althea Gibson₁ is an America treasure. We need more uplifting American stories right now. As I wrote a couple posts ago, I’ve been digging in to help edit and create Wikipedia pages related to African American injustices and success stories. It’s just my little way of helping make the internet a better place. The county in South Carolina in which she was born features a large confederate memorial₂ in front of the county courthouse. I think it should be replaced with one of Althea Gibson. We also have a confederate monument in my little town in South Carolina sitting in front of our courthouse₃. It should come down simply because America has always been about change and our monuments should be focused on the positive contributions of our citizens and not shrines to lost causes. Althea Gibson is the type of American we need to memorialize.

I did a deep dive into her story in the last couple days because it resonated with me. It’s her spirit. I’m not going to rehash it but I’d like to cite a couple highlights before I send you down the internet rabbit hole. She was born in a small town in South Carolina to sharecroppers. Moved to Harlem and started street fighting. Dropped out of school and was sent to a shelter. Was introduced to tennis through a police athletic union. Was convinced to go back south by Sugar Ray Robinson. Went back to school in Wilmington, North Carolina. Became a great tennis player. Graduated college. Won 11 major tennis titles. Recorded and album after singing at W.C. Handy’s birthday. Acted in a film alongside of John Wayne. Decided to take up golf becoming the first African American to join the professional tour. Got sick. Went broke. Saved by a former doubles partner. Finally memorialized and remembered for the pioneer that she was. I’d recommend that every American watch the documentary film on her life. _4,5