Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson was born on August 25, 1927 in Silver, SC to parents Annie Washington and Daniel Gibson. She had four siblings and grew up in New York City. She was a trailblazing tennis player who broke racial barriers in the sport during the 1950s. In 1956, she became the first African American to win a Grand Slam event and other major tennis championships, including Wimbledon and the United States Nationals. Gibson's athletic achievements extended beyond tennis; she also played professional golf and briefly pursued singing and acting. After retiring from sports, she dedicated herself to public service and philanthropy until her passing on September 28, 2003 at the age of 76.