Womens Athletes History
In 1995, Serena turned pro. Two years later, she was already No. 99 in the world rankings—up from No. 304 just 12 months before. A year later, she graduated high school, and almost immediately inked a $12 million shoe deal with Puma. In 1999, she beat out her sister in their race to the family's first Grand Slam win, when she captured the U.S. Open title.
Serena Williams
Along with her individual success, Williams teamed with sister Venus to win a series of doubles titles. Her victory at Wimbledon in 2015 made her the oldest Grand Slam singles champion in the Open era.
She won her first major championship in 1999 and completed the career Grand Slam in 2003.
Born in 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan, Serena Williams began intensive tennis training at age 3.
Althea Gibson
Althea Gibson was born in South Carolina on August 25, 1927.
Her great talent was in tennis, but in the 1940s and '50s, most tournaments were closed to African Americans. Gibson kept playing (and winning) until her skills could no longer be denied
She became the first African American to play at Wimbledon. Gibson won the women's singles and doubles at Wimbledon in 1957, and won the U.S. Open in 1958.
She suffered a stroke and developed serious heart problems. On September 28, 2003, Gibson died of respiratory failure in East Orange, New Jersey.
Jackie Joyner Kearse
Born on March 3, 1962, in East St. Louis, Illinois
One of the greatest athletes of all time, track and field star Jackie Joyner-Kersee has won three Olympic gold medals, as well as one silver and two bronze.
Was the first American to win gold for the long jump and the first woman to earn more than 7,000 points in the seven-event heptathlon.
Joyner-Kersee attended the University of California, Los Angeles on a full scholarship, and continued to gain fame on both the court and field.
Alice Coachman
First black Woman to win a medal at the 1948 Olympics.
Leapt to a record-breaking height of 5 feet, 6 and 1/8 inches in the high jump finals
By 1946, the same year she enrolled in Albany State College, she was the national champion in the 50- and 100-meter races, 400-meter relay and high jump
Later in life, she established the Alice Coachman Track and Field Foundation to help support younger athletes and provide assistance to retired Olympic veterans.
Wilma Rudolph
History/Facts
Stricken with polio as a child, she had problems with her left leg and had to wear a brace. It was with great determination and the help of physical therapy that she was able to overcome the disease as well as her resulting physical disabilities.
In 1960, Wilma Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals at a single Olympic Games in Rome.
Born premature on June 23, 1940, in St. Bethlehem, Tennessee
