Billie Jean King Becomes First Individual Female Athlete to Receive Congressional Gold Medal
Billie Jean King, the renowned tennis icon and advocate for women’s rights, has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, making her the first individual female athlete to receive this honor. The bipartisan measure was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Thursday, recognizing King’s pioneering accomplishments both in sports and beyond.
King, who is 80 years old, has dedicated her life to promoting equal rights for everyone, both in athletics and in society. She is most famously remembered for her victory over Bobby Riggs in the landmark “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973. King also played a crucial role in securing equal prize money in men’s and women’s tennis at the U.S. Open and was instrumental in establishing the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973.
Throughout her illustrious career, King amassed a total of 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Beyond her on-court achievements, she championed the implementation of Title IX, legislation that guarantees equal funding for both men’s and women’s sports programs in educational institutions.
The Congressional Gold Medal is Congress’ highest honor for recognizing significant achievements. Prior to King’s recognition, all previous recipients were male, including notable figures such as Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, and Jack Nicklaus. This award celebrates King’s extraordinary life dedicated to promoting equal rights and serves as a testament to her enduring influence in both sports and society.
