Gibson, Althea << al THEE uh >> (1927-2003), broke racial barriers as an African American tennis player. She was one of the leading women amateur players from 1950 to 1958. Gibson dominated women’s tennis in 1957 and 1958, winning the women’s singles titles at Wimbledon in England and the United States National Championships (now the US Open ) both years. As the first player to break the color barrier in tennis, Gibson opened the way for future African Americans, such as Arthur Ashe , Venus Williams , and Serena Williams . The Associated Press named Gibson the Female Athlete of the Year in 1957 and 1958.
Gibson was born on Aug. 25, 1927, in Silver, South Carolina, and grew up in the Harlem section of New York City. She retired from amateur tennis in 1958, playing exhibitions as a professional until she ended her tennis career in 1963 and became a professional golfer. Gibson died on Sept. 28, 2003.
