Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson (August 25, 1927 ? September 28, 2003) was an American sportswoman who became the first African-American woman to be a competitor on the world tennis tour on August 22, 1950. She is sometimes referred to as "the Jackie Robinson of tennis" for breaking the "color barrier".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Born in Silver, South Carolina, Gibson was raised in Harlem, New York, where she excelled in tennis, but also competed in golf and basketball. With the assistance of a sponsor, in 1946 she moved to Wilmington, North Carolina for tennis training and in 1947, at age 20, she won the first of ten straight black national championships run by the American Tennis Association, the then governing body for black tournaments. Forced to play in what was basically a segregated sport, at age twenty-three Gibson was finally given the opportunity to participate in the 1950 US Open at Forest Hills, New York.

August 25: August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining....

1927: 1927 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar)....

September 28: September 28 is the 271st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (272nd in leap years). There are 94 days remaining....

Althea Gibson related Images and Photos (experimental)

Bob Gibson	Gibson - Stay Strapped	Henry Gibson	Daniel Gibson
Deborah Gibson	Mel Gibson Print	Mel Gibson Print	Mel Gibson Print
Bob Gibson Action	Gibson - Prestige Les Paul	Gibson Guitar, Elvis Presley Cutout	Gibson Guitars 2011 Wall Calendar