(Nov 20,1943 – ) born in Long Beach CA

First female athlete to receive the Congressional Gold Medal

Greatest Tennis Player of all Times

Turned Pro in 1968

Retired in 1990

• 39 Grand Slam titles, with a record 20 victories at Wimbledon. 
• World’s No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis for six years in 1966 to 1975,
• At 29 years old, she won the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match against 55-year-old Bobby Riggs.With 90 million viewers, it’s still the most-watched tennis match of all time.
• Founded the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973 and Women’s Sports Foundation in 1974
• Helped secure sponsors and pay for women in all four Grand Slams.
• Advocate for Title IX, equal pay for women athletes and  LGBTQ+ rights
• The US Tennis Open is played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

— Helen Josephine